Are We Salting Ourselves to Death?

  
     Not to beat this subject into the ground but it is sooo important to be aware of the dangerous side effects that this favored food accent has on the human body. Many of us have NO Idea just how much of it we REALLY consume. SALT! I can not stress how much salt/sodium has to do with much of the sickness and disease that is ravaging the American public.
     Why this has been a hot topic for me. It was my pleasure to escort two beloved friends (80+ year olds) to a specialist to find out why she is retaining so much water when she is on high doses of  meds that should resolve the issue. A-Mom (I will call her A-Mom for adopted mom. I have known these two as friends for so many years, that I say I have adopted them as parents) is and has been for sometime in congestive heart failure. When questioned by the doctor about eating habits, their picture of the weeks menu was one of healthy eating. They truly believe what they are consuming on a daily basis is healthy foods. 
     The list consisted of a BLT for lunch, a boxed cherry crumble Danish and toast for breakfast. For dinner the evening before they had order chicken tenders with the creamy coleslaw from a Pizza place. Their vegetable of choice is frozen, but more often than not they eat canned vegetables. Don't get me wrong, I get it. They are in their 80's. It takes a lot to stand at a counter and chop veggies and cook.  Fact is because of her illness, A-Mom can no longer stand except for brief moments. A-Dad is doing all he can to care for her regular everyday needs. 
     The doctor wasn't surprised. For when a person is taking in too much salt/sodium it is very apparent by the swollen look they have. It was obvious to him that her diet was full of salt. And it was. Everything she had eaten in last 24 hours was full of sodium. "But what about the lettuce and tomatoes and the sweet cheeries. That's all good for you." A-Dad said. This day and age sodium is is everything.  I know it's a drag but we really must start reading labels, especially if we prone to hypertension, heart disease. We literally are salting ourselves to death.
     The doctor said "look around next time in a group of people. People who have a diet high in sodium/salt tend to have hands and fingers, face and necks or legs and feet that are swollen. Their skin is very taut or stretched tight. It's because they are retaining water caused by too much salt." These same people tend to eat fast foods, boxed, processed convenient foods. All which contain huge amounts of sodium.
    Ten years ago my mother in law, when hospitalized, was put on an IV drip of a meds "to help her get some of the water off." In one night she lost 15 lbs. She had a major wake up call that helped her transform her life. At age 73 she had to change her eating habits or face death. She choose to eat herself healthy. She went from a 180 pounds patient with congestive heart and diabetes to 145 pounds in under six months. She did end up with a pace maker but no longer has congestive heart or diabetes. Went from size 20 to 12/14. That was 10 years ago. We are very proud of her for taking control of her life and health. If she hadn't i'm sure she wouldn't be with us today. Just goes to show your never to old to change.
     Thing is. Her body, when given the proper nutrition, healed itself. Now, that's *amazing medicine.
     I am  relating their stories because their diets are the diets of most people. And when you look at most sick people, their diets are very similar.  People generally believe they eat relatively well.  Quick, easy and convenient but, diets of very little nutrition and lots of sodium. I am inserting a link here of a chart of sodium content in everyday foods. Peruse it, look up some of the items you use in your daily lives. It's to make you more aware of just how much salt you inadvertently take in and may not know it.  Really stop now and click the link. Interesting huh? Remember, we should not have more than 2300 mg a day. And that's the high levels. Meaning more than that is truly stressing your organs and in a short time your body begins to react with a host of ailments.

*Under the words amazing medicine above is the link to Food Matters Trailer. A must see movie

1/4 teaspoon of salt     =  500 mg
 1/2 teaspoon of salt    =  1000mg                               
   1  teaspoon  of salt   =  2000 mg

DAY 13 I'm Feeling Down

Day 13

     Feeling a little down today. Maybe it's leaving the security of our home and friends to go to a rental house for a month., Maybe it's the angst of leaving my elderly friends who seem so frail.  Maybe it's the gray skies that have loomed overhead for several days now or maybe it's the wet basement were leaving behind after all the rain. I'm sure it's all of that however,  part of it is the worry over the nonchalance of so many about wanting to make even the smallest changes in their eating habits which could help change their lives.
     Don't get me wrong, the initial 5 girlfriends who signed up are still hanging with me. Some have made extraordinary changes in their diet while others are making smaller strides but see that change is necessary and are trying. Ku-doos to you all. I love hearing the changes you've made from sugar filled cereals to granola and blueberries. Putting away white breads for 100% whole wheat bread or pitas. Choosing fresh vegetables as side dishes rather than baked potatoes with the works. Yogurt and fresh fruit over ice-cream. It's Great! Keep up the good work. I really appreciate having you as support.
     It's those who look sick, fat, swollen, who often talk bout their arthritis aches and pains, bad knees, backs and hips, no energy, tired and depressed that want to cling to the comfort foods that are making them sick in the first place. I understand it is hard to give up what we've known all our lives because I've been doing this for years now.
     Nixing off bad foods one at a time until I got to where I am today. 90% of the time I eat fresh fruit and veggies. I don't do white much of anything except rice noodles. I've had the same bag of sugar in my cupboard for 5 years and it's half full. I've made huge changes in diet but am still working on ridding myself of those things like anything gluten, too many potatoes, nitrate filled bacon and sausage and ice-cream. I am also working on portion control. But, when people who know because of Dr. Oz or their doctors warnings that what they eat has a real baring on how bad they're feeling yet, they continue eating poorly unabated using the excuse "I'm not ready." Is so sad to me and makes me sad for them. 
     What is it about us Americans who are willing to go on powerful drugs for years, have major surgeries on our knees and our backs, for problems directly caused by being overweight. We rove from doctor to doctor spending tons of money to find fixes. But, when the doc says we must change what we're eating. It's off to another doctor because we don't like the last ones answer. Why? It's like what Joe Cross says in his movie Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, "he was willing to go through all the above but was terrified to change what he was putting in his mouth." Because that meant taking charge. Buckling down. Thinking before eating. Yet he knew that was the answer.
     I'm not asking you to go on a 30 day juice fast or no carb diet. We're just saying to start somewhere. Exchange the potato chips for carrot and celery a few times a week. The white rice for brown rice. Canned corn or green beans for fresh or at least frozen. Instead of a latte mocha chia double double switch to a coffee and cream or tea for a day. Instead of a 10 oz steak with baked potato have a salad with grilled steak slices with strawberries. Make some effort to treat you body better. You have to start somewhere. And if you started and have been at somewhere for some time, do another little something. Each day the choices get easier. You will have more energy, feel happier and in control.
    

DAY 12 Summer Travel

Day 12  
 
     Larry and I are packing up and heading to Michigan on Saturday for a month. My insatiable need to see and interact with our grandkids has gotten the best of me. Hopefully this visit will curb that craving and leave indelible memories on my heart and mind so when we return home these memories will keep me happy until the next time.
      As many of you know I am a Photographer wanna-be, so expect some vacation pictures to be included in future post. It is my plan to continue posting each day however, I am using my cell phone as my internet source while in Wolverine Lake so service and internet connect will only be as good as the towers allow. If for any reason I can not post, I apologize ahead of time. For you who are a part of our Mobile Texts posts, you will still receive your morning tags albeit a shortened version.
     I've heard from some that they are commenting on the Blog but the comments are not posting. I don't know what the deal is with that, I will be checking into it but, please don't let that stop you from trying again. Your comments inspire me to continue posting. It's the only way I have to know that you are finding inspiration to get healthy from them, which in turn motivates me to keep on keeping on, too.  I would love to hear about small or great changes you have made or are making in your choices of food. We're always looking for menu ideas and recipes. Please share.
     For you Twinsburg/Bedford Friends DON'T FORGET: we have our 10 Day Challenge Get Together To See How We're All Doing date, Friday at my house at 6:00 sharp. We will be watching 1/2 of "Food Matters", then having discussion after. BYO healthy snacks. I will supply pop-corn and flavored water. Please text me if you are coming so I can get a count.
     Check the EVENT page once in a while to see what's coming up.
  
                                    Todays inspiration are the two pictures below.  

  
  Keep a log of everything you put in your mouth over the next three days. Everything. You may be surprised. What's one easy healthy thing you can do for yourself today?

Day 10 The Scale Tells No Lies

DAY 10

     Well Ladies we made it. We stand here at Day 10 of the Ten Day Challenge with what I hope is a clearer vision of how to improve your health. If you stayed the course not only should you be thinking more clearly, feeling a little lighter on your feet, enjoying a confidence in yourself for following through, you probably have shed at lease a couple of unwanted pounds.
     I stepped on the scale for the first time during the challenge on day 5 (which for me was really day 10 because I started earlier than the official start date) I just had to know where the number would stop. Low and behold it read 195.3.  Remember my start weight was 198. 198.5 to be precise. I love the newer scales because they not only tell weight but ounces too. "Oh honnn-nneeey? I've lost not just 3 pounds but 3.2 pounds, thank you very much." I felt exuberant. I really am doing this for health but you can't eat healthy and not loose weight. That's one of the perks. It is also a great motivator.
     Oh, I know there's some of you saying "that's just water weight." The fact is if a person is retaining 3.2 excess pounds of water, over and above what your body generally needs to function then you are inflamed. Inflammation is the absolute leading cause of illness. It means your cells, which are our foundation to health are having a heck-a-va time fighting to keep your bodily system up to snuff. It means your kidneys are working overtime along with many other organs.
   

      If you don't think that's a problem or that 3.2 pounds of lost water is not an accomplishment then I suggest Google-ing Lasix (Furosemide). This is the chosen drug used to help those whose bodies can not eliminate enough water normally.  I am not sure how many  Americans are currently on it but, I think it's safe to say that YOU know at least one person, maybe more who are. The culprit for water retention is to much salt. Lord knows were a salt crazed country. It's in everything from fruit drinks to baby food. Let's just say, if it isn't in the form in which God created it (on the outside perimeter of the grocery store aisles) then it probably full of salt. That's not to say that whole foods don't have any salt content. They do, but it is miniscule compared to processed, canned, packaged foods. Just another reason to rid our shelves of all the stuff. 
     Sorry got off track for a moment. Long story short, upon waking Day 7 the scale registered another pound lost, Day 8 another and yesterday Day 9, and this is where those ounces really help, another .8 pounds for a total just over of 6 pounds. Needless to say I am encouraged. 192.2
     However, with the excitement comes trepidation, for this is Day 10 of our 10 day challenge. Who will stick with me for 10 more days and who will quit. If nothing else you've learn you can take control of what's eating you. Oops!  What I meant to say is what your eating. Or did I?  You've taken positive steps to curtail the crazy mindless eating and learn to make better choices. I hope this is not just my beginning of a quest to better health. My husband Larry and I are not here to convince you we want to Inspire you. You are not alone in the maze. Are YOU up for the next 10 Days?

     FYI...  The tolerable upper level of daily sodium intake 2300 mg. 85% of Americans exceed that many times over. More than half of all Americans are predisposed to health issues, high blood pressure, heart disease, and should have no more 1500 mg daily. There is way too much salt, MSG, natural foods flavorings, all which contains salt in our diets.
    Example: Applebees Bacon Cheddar Cheesburger has a whopping 1610 mg of sodium. Add a side of fries for an extra 740 mg. That's just one meal. YIKES! For you Homemade Mac and Cheese lovers, One cup serving has nearly a 1000 mg. Boxed M &C per cup is 786 mg. HOLY CANNOLLI!        

 1/4 teaspoon of salt    =  500 mg
 1/2 teaspoon of salt    =  1000mg                               
   1  teaspoon  of salt   =  2000 mg

DAY 9 Dog Day Afternoons

DAY 9
    
     The hot days of summer have arrived. We're trying not to succumb to the 90 degrees by turning on the AC. If it gets much hotter I may loose this battle. The house seems hottest in the late afternoon around 3:30 - 4:00 when we like to eat our biggest meal.
     I was all set to have my husband grill us some burgers which I intended on smothering in mushrooms, onions and green peppers but, as the temperature went up my zeal for standing over the stove went down.
     What kind of cool and delicious foods can we conjure up on days too hot for soup?  Just about the time that thought popped into my head I heard the familiar bird call letting me know I had a text message. Received from my daughter was picture above with the message LUNCH.  After seeing that, I got such a hankering for chicken salad, I had to whip up a batch for my husband and I.
     The rotisserie chicken intended for soup stock now became our chicken salad lunch. It didn't dawn on me until we were licking our plates clean that I should have taken pictures too. Shucks! It wasn't as pretty as Leah's above but I am willing to say it was almost as good. Why do I say almost? Because Leah took the time to make her own mayonnaise. Boy, she's good.
     We are making great strides to eat well here at The Barnett household. Over the next few months i'm sure our "diet" will see many changes but, I don't know if i'll ever get to the point of making mayo from a recipe. We use it so infrequently that I am unconcerned at this point about the fat content. The only concern I have with it the natural flavorings. We all know that means MSG. The sugar content on label is so little that it doesn't appear in the Nutritional Facts. I have thought about trying the Veganaise from the health food store but i'm not convinced it's that much healthier and that mayo in small amounts is that bad.  It's the binder that holds chicken and tuna salads together. That's my opinion for now and i'm sticking to it.

     Speaking of salad dressings. What? I thought someone mentioned them. Many of you may not be at the point in your healthy lifestyle changes where you question salad dressing, and that's ok. My suggestion to you is instead of pouring dressing all over your salad, put it in a small dish and dip your salad into it. Better yet, just dip your fork in the dressing before spearing your salad. It's amazing how much less dressing you eat but still enjoy your salad.
     Some salad dressings, while tasty, are often full of fat, sodium and sugars that you don’t need when you’re trying to slim down and get healthy. But there are alternatives that are healthier for your body yet still taste good.

     One option is to mix olive oil or flaxseed oil with red wine, raspberry infused or balsamic vinegar.
You need one part oil to one part vinegar a pinch of salt and pepper and shake ingredients together.
     While olive oil and flaxseed oil have fat and calories, they are a healthy source of fat that your body needs. "In fact, flaxseed oil is used by so many organs of your body that it’s almost impossible for it to be converted into fat cells."-- Jillian Michaels

Julie's Chicken Salad
(depending on what's available in the house)

2 breast of rotisserie chicken
1/3 - 1/2 cup mayo (I don't measure so I'm unsure)
1/2 stalk celery chopped very small
1 green onion and stalk
15 seedless grapes halved (red or green)
and a good shake or two of Mrs. Dash Original

The chicken salad was piled on two large Romaine leaves that had vinegar and oil spritzed on them.
My husband gave it a 10.


    

DAY 3 
    
     It's Monday. Lazy days and Mondays always get me down. But not today. I feel empowered. Light on my feet. Ready to pound some pavement as they say. But before that I have some plain yogurt with 2 drops of chocolate raspberry stevia and a pile of fresh cut fruit. Strawberries, blueberry, raspberry, grapes and melon. All soaked for 10 minutes in a sink full of water with a cup of apple cider vinegar. Then rinsed well. I don't want any unnecessary toxins climbing aboard my palate this morning. Summer is here with all the delicious, delectable, delicate fruitage. Makes use of God's gift of bountiful delights while they are fresh for the eating.

 My inspiration for this Day 3 is:

     Good Morning friends. It's the beginning of a new week and a new way to look at yourself. Go to your mirror. Look at yourself. Say, "Self, it isn't easy to break the cycle of poor eating habits but I am worth every effort it takes. I am determined to choose healthier foods." Now turn away from the mirror, quit looking at the bags and wrinkles. But remember what you just said to yourself.

    "If we are creating ourselves all the time then it's never too late to begin creating the bodies we want instead of the ones we mistakenly assume we are stuck with." Deepak Chopra 
     Fill your plate with more fruits and vegetables. Whole foods fill you up not out. Forget the chips, grab and apple. Instead of McDonalds chicken sandwich, put chicken slices in lettuce with tomato, avocado, Mrs. Dash and a little dressing making a lettuce roll-up. Yes I know it takes a little more planning but you are worth it.

    

DAY 2

     It's Sunday morning which means we're always in a rush. Before getting out of bed I make sure to come up with some words of wisdom to give support to my five friends. Being an avid reader and viewer of anything health, a few statistics popped into my head.  I thought if I actually remembered them then they must be worth relating.  Here's Day 2's encouragement. 

     "About 80% of the food on super market shelves today did not exists 100 years ago." (really I don't think most exists even 50 years ago) Neither was there epidemic proportions of cancers, heart disease, auto immune disease or mental health disease.

Correlation?
     "The center of the super market is for boxed, frozen, processed, made to-sit-on-shelves-foods. You have to ask yourself, if this food was designed to last for months and months on shelves, what is it doing in my body? Nothing good that's for sure."
     Choose wisely today.  Your body will love you for it.

   That's what I texted. And minutes later I had my first confirmation that my little "texts" are appreciated. Then a few minutes more another confirmation and then another. Thank you girls for your kind thoughts and comments. Knowing others are trying to get their eating habits under healthier control helps me do the same. You help me, I help you.

    So like many households crammed for time I toast a piece of Udi bread, slather on my daughters homemade Rhubarb jam, grab a cup of coffee (yes with my favorite creamer) and an 8 oz. glass of water with 2 tablespoons of 100% real Cranberry concentrate and a half dropper of Systemic Detox added.
     I sit down at my desk finishing up my Watchtower and try to taste every taste of that bread and jam. Slowing down trying to do the 20 chew chew. You know things taste better when you really think about what your eating, trying to distinguish each individual taste and sensation.  The smell and crunch of the toast, the sweetness and the tart of the rhubarb jam. The stickiness as it hits my lips. The aroma of fresh brewed coffee with a hit of cinnamon vanilla.  The tart cranberry in the water. Wow... For a mad dash breakfast, this tastes pretty good.

If you lucky enough to have a raspberry farm around, I suggest experiencing a day at "pickin". It's relaxing and fun. You and nature.

I will be hosting a raspberry picking day in August. Contact me if your interested.

DAY 1 of The 10 Day Challenge

DAY 1 
    
     Woke at 4:35 when the Robin outside my window began her chirping. I have a love hate relationship with her. Unable to fall back a sleep, I started thinking about what I could do to help encourage my five friends and myself to choose wisely in our food choices today. What I came up with is a text message of some inspirational thought sent to their phones first thing in the morning. It's only ten days, I certainly can muse them for that long. Here's what I sent.
    
    "We had fun last night. A lot of things were discussed. Do not be overwhelmed. This is meant to be a fun and encouraging experience.
     THINK before you reach! Donut or Nectarine? Muffin or Fruit salad? Eggs and bacon or granola with blueberries?
     For you who say "I don't eat breakfast." Your body has not had fuel for more than 8 hours. It needs nourishment to function optimally. More than a mug of coffee. Grab an apple, banana or a hand full of nuts if nothing else. Start the morning off good and a good day will follow.
     Thanks for supporting each other. Have a healthy day."

     Sending the text, I lay back and think, "With that text I set myself up in being the example for these women. Maybe its a good thing. Makes me feel responsible to make changes not only for myself, my family but also my friends." I hope i'm up for the task.  

What's the Plan Stan?

     Friday night June 15, six of my friends met together to check out what this "10 Day Challenge" was all about. I wasn't positive of how things would work out but knew we all have one common goal, Learning How To Eat Better for Healthy Living. Everyone was willing to at least put forth concerted effort NOT to eat processed foods and sugars, and being aware of everything they let pass by their lips. What that meant was a little different for each one. 
    
 What it means for me:
          No boxed or prepared foods.  (ie. rice r roni, shake n bake, standard white pasta, white rice)
          No breads unless Ezekial (real whole grain) or Udi gluten free. (lettuce makes a beautiful sandwich and can replace bread almost every time.)
          No obvious sugars. (fruity drinks, baked goods, candy)
          No fast foods. If I should eat out, choose wisely, trying to eliminate the above.
          Much less dead food and much more of live sustainable food.
     I do not count calories or worry about fat content.
     I realize there are sugars in most condiments, salad dressings and mayonnaise is a prepared food however, I am working on cutting things out at a pace that I stand withstand. Otherwise it won't last. I rarely use stuff like that but have them available in a pinch. Red wine vinegar and oil have started to taste good to me. I don't eat pasta much but when we do, I eat rice pasta. My one vice I can't let go of yet is my cinnamon vanilla cream for my coffee. In time ladies, in time. I eat real butter and use olive oil or coconut oil for cooking. Personally I think they have had a bad rap over the years for no good reason.
     It's not to say you will never see me having a cocktail or a piece of cake in celebration however, it is my goal to keep these in check for special occasions.

FYI...when I interject I and we it's because my husband is doing his best to follow the new lifestyle too. He promises that IF he brings chips, candy or the like into the house he will keep it in his office and only eat when I'm not around. Isn't he sweet.

On your mark, get set, Gooooo!

     My name is Julie. I am a Fifty-five year old woman on a quest for healthier eating. Ohhh, I've done dozens of "diets" in the past, doing the same as millions of others. Loose 20-30 lbs. only to put back on 35-40. My reasons for loosing weight were vanity. An up coming wedding, class reunion, meeting up with old friends (OMG what would they think). But now, I am ready to get down to business and make a lifestyle change in my eating habits. I have been here before but somewhere down the line I loose hold of the reigns and fall back into some poor eating choices. I'm sick and tired of heartburn, stomach aches, nausea, constipation, headaches and of looking in the mirror and wishing for something different to be looking back. At 5'3" and 198 pounds, it is time to get a grip.

     I lost my father to cancer when he was fifty-four, I was twenty-one. Lost my mother at sixty-three to heart disease. Then just over ten years ago I lost a fifty year old brother to cancer. Four years later another brother at age fifty-one. Now, granted the latter two did not live very healthy lives. They smoked, drank more than the average person and ate like majority of Americans do, me included. But the death of my brother Jon left me numb. Watching him slowing wither away, with no hope except chemo "therapy" was sobering and gut wrenching. They MUST be a better way and I was determined to find it.
     This blog is not about my disdain for the Medicine Machine we call Allopathic Medicine and their use of prescription drugs to mask over every health problem. It is about getting to the root of the health problems facing the world. That root, I believe, has everything to do with what we put into our mouths. In our case, The American diet. My quest is finding ways to get healthy and keep healthy thereby keeping me out of the clutches of Big Pharma and Institutional medicine. There is so much evidence available proving that what we choose to eat has the biggest impact on our health and wellbeing.
 
      So, a couple of my girlfriends and I have gotten together to encourage each other in making necessary changes in our dietary intake. We have pledged to a 10 Day Challenge to NOT eat processed foods and no obvious sugars other than what comes in naturally

through fruits and vegetables. We are on Day 7 however, I will post our daily inspirations since the beginning which was Saturday June 15, 2013 and then keep a daily post thereafter. 
     It is my hope that by doing this eating program 10 days at a time, it will continue on for another 10 and another 10. You get the picture. Doesn't seem nearly as daunting just 10 days at a time. I will keep you posted.

BTW...the picture above was 4 years ago after loosing 27 lbs. on the HCG diet. I felt great. Although taking longer than normal, nearly 3.5 years later I've put those pounds back on. At the time of that picture my weight was 176. It is my current goal to get back to that this summer.

Good Health to You,
Julie