205.6

No workout today just situps.

My menu-

Tomorrow is monthy weigh in :)

Rants continued......

Chicken Gumbo Recipe

Chicken Gumbo Recipe

This recipe serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
flour for dredging {I would use whole wheat flour}
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 pound low-fat spicy chicken sausage, such as anduoille or chorizo, cut into small pieces
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 green pepper, finely chopped
4 ribs celery, finely chopped
16 whole okra, thinly sliced
2 15-ounce cans chopped low sodium tomatoes
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Tabasco sauce to taste
filé gumbo powder
2 cups hot, steamed brown rice

Cooking Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and brown on all sides.

2. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and dredge them in flour. Turn the heat to medium-high, add the chicken to the skillet and brown on both sides. Transfer the sausage and chicken to a platter once they are nicely browned.

3. Turn the heat down to medium and add the onion, celery, green pepper, okra and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally until the vegetables soften, about 8 to 10 minutes.

4. Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, sausage and chicken and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to low, cover and cook for 30 minutes.

5. Season to taste with Tabasco, salt and pepper.

6. Ladle the gumbo into serving bowls, sprinkle each serving with filé powder and add a spoonful of rice.


Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 bowl with 1/2 cup rice
Calories 462
Total Fat 14 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Protein 37 g
Total Carbohydrate 48 g
Dietary Fiber 7 g
Sodium 660 mg
Percent Calories from Fat 27%
Percent Calories from Protein 31%
Percent Calories from Carbohydrate 41%

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More health stuff

Personal Care Products for Kids
Pamela Lundquist
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, April 05, 2007

Kids of all ages have naturally wonderful skin and hair. Generally, keeping it clean is all that’s needed. Nevertheless, children use quite a few personal care products in addition to soap and shampoo, such as toothpaste, bubble bath, lotion, sunscreen and insect repellents. Parents may wonder what is in all these products and if they might affect children’s health.


Since many skin and hair care items contain a long list of ingredients with strange chemical names, it’s easy to understand the concern. A complex mix of fragrances, preservatives and colors are used in many hygiene and beauty products. In fact, a number of ingredients commonly used in products for children, such as parabens and quaternium 15, can cause skin and eye irritation or allergic reactions, such as hives, watery eyes, and breathing difficulties.1 Some chemicals, such as phthalates, and contaminants, like formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, have been linked to more serious health problems, including endocrine disruption and cancer.1

Despite these health concerns, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the government agency in charge of regulating personal care items, is limited in what it does to ensure safety of personal care products. FDA does not even require pre-market testing of personal care products. However, some ingredients are restricted from use in personal care products: nine are strictly prohibited by law, while industry trade associations recommend that manufacturers voluntarily avoid the use of nine additional chemicals. Any other raw ingredient — including hundreds of chemicals — can be used, without government testing or approval.

For the most part, FDA can only take action against products that contain prohibited ingredients, have been mislabeled, or are proven to be harmful to users.

There’s also the environmental impact to consider. Many chemicals used in personal care products are derived from petroleum and may pollute during production. Even synthetic chemicals derived from plants can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during production, which can affect air quality. Some chemicals also pollute the environment when they’re washed down the drain or simply thrown away.

Special Concerns About Fragrance Ingredients
Among the most problematic ingredients are fragrances, which are added to a wide range of grooming products. Like other ingredients found in personal care products, fragrances can cause allergic reactions and may trigger asthma attacks, but much is unknown about the health effects of fragrance ingredients. Consider that only within the past few years was it discovered that phthalates, used to extend the life of a fragrance on the skin, could interfere with hormonal activity.

Some fragrance facts:

Fragrances are not only inhaled, they’re also absorbed into the skin.
Tens, if not hundreds, of different chemicals can make up one fragrance formula.
Most fragrance chemicals have not been tested for safety, particularly for children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of foreign substances than adults.
Though ingredients must be listed on personal care products, the law permits manufacturers to use the generic term "fragrance" rather than specific fragrance ingredient names.
"Food" fragrances like strawberry may confuse a child into thinking it’s okay to eat the product.


Washing Up from Head to Toe
Probably the first product you’ll use on your child is soap. Many pediatricians recommend washing newborns and young infants with only warm water. As they get older, choose glycerin and castile soaps, traditionally made with olive oil, as they are generally mild.

Antibacterial soaps are unnecessary in most cases and can cause resistance to antibiotics and other germ fighters. (See Antibacterials and Disinfectants: Are They Necessary?) Soap and water work perfectly well for loosening dirt and germs so that they can be rinsed away.

As your child grows, there’s no doubt he or she will want to take bubble baths. Choose products that are intended for babies or children, since these generally have milder ingredients than those for adults. Some bath products, even those made specifically for children, contain harsh detergents, like sodium lauryl sulfate. Bubble baths have been associated with higher rates of urinary tract infections, so save them for special occasions.

Young children struggle to avoid the dreaded shampoo at bath time. Even baby shampoos can contain ingredients that irritate eyes. Shampoo is made up of one or two surfactants (detergents that lather well) and water. Other ingredients include additives that create the proper pH level so hair stays smooth, detanglers, thickeners, preservatives, scents or foaming agents.

Surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine or cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine are among the mildest, causing the least eye or skin irritation. Harsher surfactants include sodium laureth sulfate, a chemical relative of sodium lauryl sulfate. In addition to being a strong detergent, the FDA lists it as an ingredient that may be contaminated with the probable carcinogen 1,4-dioxane. Another group of surfactants that have raised concern are alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). These detergents break down slowly in the wild and form compounds that are known to disrupt the endocrine systems of and cause reproductive effects in fish, birds, and mammals.

Brushing Up for a Perfect Smile
Regular brushing with toothpaste helps prevent cavities. But did you know that some toothpastes contain saccharin? Repeated tests on saccharin show that it causes cancer in laboratory animals.

Fluoride in toothpaste is a controversial ingredient. It is added to toothpaste because it’s been clinically shown to prevent tooth decay. However, if too much fluoride is ingested, it can cause fluorosis (white spots on permanent teeth), a condition which develops only when teeth are forming during childhood. Kids may be more likely to swallow artificially flavored toothpaste if it has an "edible" flavor like bubble gum or fruit flavor.

There are many unanswered questions about fluoride and its health effects. Fluoride Action Network and the American Dental Association are two reliable sources of information that have opposite views. After browsing both sites, you can make an informed decision for your own family.

Just for Baby
Baby wipes are often loaded with alcohol, fragrances or other ingredients that can irritate baby’s skin. Instead of these commercial products, you can use (and reuse) thin cotton washcloths to wipe baby’s bottom. Buy them by the dozen and you’ll always have one handy. A small spray bottle of gentle liquid baby soap or a wash of 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of water helps clean the area.

Baby powders are often recommended to keep baby dry, since they absorb moisture. But talc can irritate the lungs and there is some suggestive evidence that it may cause cancer, especially with long-term usage in the genital area. Cornstarch is one alternative. You can dry baby’s bottom with a small cotton washcloth, as well.

To prevent or avoid diaper rash, keep the area dry and expose it to fresh air whenever possible. The baking soda wash mentioned above will keep yeast from growing, especially when your child is taking antibiotics. Aloe vera gel, available in tubes or bottles at natural foods stores, applied to the occasional rash is naturally soothing.

Using oils or creams can also help prevent a rash from developing. "They keep the skin protected by creating a barrier between the baby’s skin and everything else. This barrier keeps poop and pee off the skin, which naturally is irritating to the skin and harbors bacteria," says Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician and HCHW board member, in Mothers & Others’ Guide to Natural Baby Care. Look for these oils, or products made with them: almond, apricot kernel, avocado and calendula.

The Great Outdoors
Covering up is the best protection from sun exposure and biting insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks, which can carry disease. Chances are, though, your child will protest wearing long pants in the heat of summer, especially at the beach, so sunscreens and insect repellents are the next best choice.

Unfortunately, there is no natural sunscreen, and botanical insect repellants (such as those containing citronella or herbs) are just not always as effective as their chemical counterparts, according to studies. The benefits provided by sunscreens and insect repellent typically outweigh the harm. What’s important is to use the products properly to minimize the risks.

In terms of sunscreen, the most effective "active ingredients" are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and/or parsol. Put your baby in protective clothing including a hat, though, because sunscreen is not recommended for use on infants younger than six months.

Try natural insect repellants as a first recourse to battle bugs. If they seem ineffective in the given circumstance, apply DEET-free insect repellant (not on children under 6 months). Try applying it only on clothing to reduce direct skin absorption. NEVER spray it on a child’s face.

Stay away from combination sunscreen/insect repellants. Sunscreen is most effective when applied every two hours, but applying insect repellant this often could lead to overexposure.

Label Language
Many of the terms used on the labels of personal care products are not regulated. By that we mean that there are no government-recognized definitions for terms like natural, hypoallergenic, no synthetic chemicals, and other similar claims on personal care products. Different manufacturers may have different ideas about what these terms mean.

Sometimes, natural ingredients may be processed so much that they do not resemble what is found in nature. It’s also important to note that natural ingredients are not always necessarily safer ingredients. For example, some essential oils contain natural terpines that can cause headaches. Some herbal ingredients are allergens, respiratory irritants, or they may cause rashes or more serious health effects! One such natural ingredient is citrus oil. The active compound is d-limonene, which can cause breathing difficulty in asthmatics.

The Certified Organic label has been extended to cover personal care products in addition to food by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Certification, as regulated by the USDA, is supposed to mean that at least 70 to 100 percent of the ingredients are organic. The Organic Consumers Association has discovered that some companies are using the certified organic claim by using an ingredient called organic hydrosol, which is basically water "flavored" with an organic substance. Since these products are mostly water, only a small amount of organic ingredients may be present. In fact, many organic grooming products also contain the same preservatives, colors and fragrances found in their non-organic counterparts!

Indulge in Pampering
Like the rest of us, kids enjoy a little pampering now and then. It’s perfectly fine to have a hot bubble bath once in a while. Basically, the idea is to look for products with the mildest ingredients, fewest chemicals and fragrance-free formulas.

Other Resources
source

Rants continued......

My pursuit to get and stay healthy

Ok this info is for me to save and if anyone out there would like to comment that's fine, please don't be anonymous.

Q. What is talc?

A. Talc is a mineral, produced by the mining of talc rocks and then processed by crushing, drying and milling. Processing eliminates a number of trace minerals from the talc, but does not separate minute fibers which are very similar to asbestos.

Q. What kinds of consumer products contain talc?

A. Talc is found in a wide variety of consumer products ranging from home and garden pesticides to antacids. However, the products most widely used and that pose the most serious health risks are body powders Talc is the main ingredient in baby powder, medicated powders, perfumed powders and designer perfumed body powders. Because talc is resistant to moisture, it is also used by the pharmaceutical industry to manufacture medications and is a listed ingredient of some antacids. Talc is the principal ingredient home and garden pesticides and flea and tick powders. Talc is used in smaller quantities in deodorants, chalk, crayons, textiles, soap, insulating materials, paints, asphalt filler, paper, and in food processing.

Q. Why is talc harmful?

A. Talc is closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos. Talc particles have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. For the last 30 years, scientists have closely scrutinized talc particles and found dangerous similarities to asbestos. Responding to this evidence in 1973, the FDA drafted a resolution that would limit the amount of asbestos-like fibers in cosmetic grade talc. However, no ruling has ever been made and today, cosmetic grade talc remains non-regulated by the federal government. This inaction ignores a 1993 National Toxicology Program report which found that cosmetic grade talc, without any asbestos-like fibers, caused tumors in animal subjects.1 Clearly with or without asbestos-like fibers, cosmetic grade talcum powder is a carcinogen.

Q. What kind of exposure is dangerous?

A. Talc is toxic. Talc particles cause tumors in human ovaries and lungs. Numerous studies have shown a strong link between frequent use of talc in the female genital area and ovarian cancer. Talc particles are able to move through the reproductive system and become imbedded in the lining of the ovary. Researchers have found talc particles in ovarian tumors and have found that women with ovarian cancer have used talcum powder in their genital area more frequently than healthy women.2

Talc poses a health risk when exposed to the lungs. Talc miners have shown higher rates of lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses from exposure to industrial grade talc, which contains dangerous silica and asbestos. The common household hazard posed by talc is inhalation of baby powder by infants. Since the early 1980s, records show that several thousand infants each year have died or become seriously ill following accidental inhalation of baby powder.3

Q. What about infants?

A. Talc is used on babies because it absorbs unpleasant moisture. Clearly, dusting with talcum powder endangers an infant's lungs at the prospect of inhalation. Exposing children to this carcinogen is unnecessary and dangerous.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

1. Do not buy or use products containing talc. It is especially important that women not apply talc to underwear or sanitary pads.

2. Contact your pediatrician and/or local hospital and find out if they have a policy regarding talc use and infants.

3. Write to the FDA and express your concern that a proven carcinogen has remained unregulated while millions of people are unknowingly exposed.

References:

1.National Toxicology Program. "Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of talc (GAS No 14807-96-6) in F344/N rats and B6C3F, mice (Inhalation studies)." Technical Report Series No. 421. September 1993.

2. Harlow BL, Cramer DW, Bell DA, Welch WR. "Perineal exposure to talc and ovarian cancer risk." Obstetrics & Gynecology, 80: 19-26, 1992.

3. Hollinger MA. "Pulmonary toxicity of inhaled and intravenous talc." Toxicology Letters, 52:121-127, 1990.

More…

The link for this



Part two-


Parabens and breast cancer, I have been telling everyone I love to stop buying antiperspirant, because it contains aluminium.


Link to Parabens


Just found out today this crap is in my beloved Tresemme. shoot!

Rants continued......

206.6

Link


















Celebrate the kick-off to American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 1, 2008, by wearing red in support of women’s heart health.

I wore red to the gym, sadly I was the only one.

Did 30 minutes fast pace on the track, 20 minutes incline on the treadmill, and leg machine and 1 back machine.

Todays eats

Rants continued......

207.4

Today's Eats here.

Did 30 minutes om the track fast pace, 20 minutes HIIT on the elliptical. and weight machines (arms). about 400 calories burnt.

Great day!

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207.8

Did 60 minutes on the track , fast pace (shins are better today). Last lap before cool down was a run. Here is the menu.
I did well today!

Rants continued......

209.8

Did 25 minutes on the track fast pace (my shins hurt).
30 minutes- HIIT on the elliptical. 400 calories burnt.
Menu is here.
I did well!

Rants continued......

211.8

Today I made a major You-turn.

Went to the gym and did leg weight training, 30 minutes on the track with one lap running.

Menu is here, I think I did well!

Rants continued......