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School Lunches..You Must Care!!!

School lunches...you must care!!!
by Lisa Drew

If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, Godparent, neighbor, citizen...you must care about our children's nutrition. There should be no discussion about that simple fact. Are you aware that there are many students who only eat one time a day in this country; that is their school lunch! This is sad yet very true! It cannot be ignored. Our children (all children) deserve nutritious and delicious meals.

What's the problem? If you look at school lunch menues, they are deplorable! Hot dogs on white buns, french fries, buttered up vegetable and canned fruit with choice of milk: plain, chocolate or vanilla. Water is extra charge. You have to be kidding me! First of all, milk should not be offered in flavors. The sugar content is out of this world. Plain low fat milk or water should be the only choices. Kids adapt! Now, fruits, veggies, and protein...schools listen up..if you live in a place where you have access to farms why aren't you utilizing them? Guess what, your costs will go down, you will be stimulating the economy by supporting your local farmers, and our children will be getting quality food!

The argument is the school districts have contracts with food companies. Well, even if you are working with a nutrition company creating the school menues and having frozen canned food delivered from these food companies, why aren't better choices being made? Canned green beans are filled with sodium and just because a roll is whole wheat, chances are it's enriched whole wheat...colored flour! Is the chicken really chicken? Is the fruit canned in heavy syrup? Probably. Better choices need to be made. The other argument is it will cost more money to teach the lunch personnel how to properly prepare fresh and nutritious food .. Um, no it doesn't!!! The lunch personnel aren't open to change..simple, either they get open to change or you find new lunch personnel to prepare the food.

In some cases, like in middle and/or high school, there are a la carte options. Most kids will go for a salad if the veggies look good. But, if they look brown and wilted, guess what, they go for the next best thing to the eye which could be greasy pizza, or a wrap loaded with not so good fillings, etc. This is unacceptable!

Parents and/or guardians need to be involved. Well, guess what, if parents/guardians are making poor food choices either because they don't want to change, don't have the knowledge, etc...then children aren't learning proper nutrition from them. Education is key! If you have health classes teaching proper nutrition yet the school lunch isn't living up to what's being taught, that's wrong...period!

Utilize local farms and farmers markets, create community gardens, demand healthier options from the food companies you pay. Think out of the box. Costs will go down! Children will be guaranteed at least one healthy meal in their day. Take field trips to local farms. Let the kids of all ages get their hands dirty. It becomes part of their education in science and math in particular. Not only that, it gives the kids a sense of purpose. Inner city schools, indoor gardens are a possiblity. I know teachers and parents have their hands tied. But we all have a voice and collectively they will be heard!

The rise of obesity in this country and all over the world is at staggering numbers! Pre-diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, ADD/ADHD and other health issues are on the rise. We as a community need to get involved. It's not to be ignored anymore. You can't say, well, it's not my kid so why should I care? You should care because said child is a fellow human being and we should want the best for each other from youngest to oldest, poorest to richest, etc. You have the right as a citizen to demand a great education for our children along with providing them a nutritious lunch. Costs will be lowered in all areas! Wake up people! We are all in this together! It's not a Democratic/Republican issue, it's not a racial issue or a sexual issue...it's a human issue!

5 Exercises Men Can Do For Better Sex

5 Exercises Men Can Do for Better Sex

Move over, Viagra: Regular exercise could be the best medicine for a man to improve his sex life.

By Jan Sheehan

Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

You know that working out is good for your health. But did you know that hitting the gym could also help you have better sex? “Working out three to four times a week can do a lot to help your sexual technique, flexibility, and endurance,” says Pete McCall, MS, an exercise physiologist and personal trainer for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). So what types of exercise are best for better sex? McCall recommends the following five “sex exercises.”

Better Sex Exercise No. 1: Weight Lifting

Strength training could be just what the doctor ordered for your sex life. The reason: “Weight lifting causes the body to produce testosterone, which is the primary precursor for the male sex drive,” says McCall, who recommends lifting enough to feel fatigue by the 10th repetition. In fact, some studies have linked short intense exercise, such as weight lifting, with increased testosterone levels. To improve your sex life, do some push-ups, sit-ups, and crunches. These muscle-building exercises can help lead to better sex by strengthening the shoulders, chest, and abs. Strong upper body strength can increase stamina since these muscles are used during intercourse.

Better Sex Exercise No. 2: Kegels

Doing Kegels is considered a good sex exercise for men because these exercises can help endurance and control by toning the pubococcygeus (PC) muscles — the ones that let you stop the flow of urine mid-stream. Named after Los Angeles physician Arnold Kegel, they strengthen the muscles in your body’s pelvic floor, which can lead to better sex. “Men can use Kegels to delay ejaculation by contracting these muscles just before orgasm,” says McCall. To do Kegels, start by interrupting the flow of urine when going to the bathroom to get familiar with your PC muscles. After that, you can do Kegels anytime and any place by squeezing the PC muscles. Hold for 10 seconds, relax, and do as many reps as you can before tiring.

Better Sex Exercise No. 3: Yoga

Want to shake up your sex life with some new positions? Practicing yoga will give you better sex by allowing your body to get into creative positions for maximum pleasure during intercourse. “Yoga will help your flexibility,” says McCall. The result can be better sex. McCall recommends yoga poses that improve pelvic muscles, such as the Bow Pose, Peacock Pose (also called the Forearm or Elbow Balance), and Shoulder Stand.

Better Sex Exercise No. 4: Fast Walking

In a study of 31,000 men over age 50, Harvard researchers found that aerobic exercise resulted in a 30-percent lower risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). More specifically, according to another study, aerobic activity that burns at least 200 calories per day (equal to fast walking for two miles) can significantly lower the risk of ED. Brisk walking is thought to help ED by improving circulation and blood flow. “Fast walking, running, and other aerobic activities help your sex life for the same reason that they prevent heart attacks,” says McCall. “They keep your blood vessels clear.” The result can be stronger and longer erections. Vigorous activities, such as running and brisk walking, also release endorphins and relax you, which can boost sexual performance.

Better Sex Exercise No. 5: Swimming

In another Harvard study of 160 male and female swimmers, swimmers in their 60s reported sex lives comparable to those in their 40s. Since sexual activity can be an act of endurance, long-distance swimming can keep you going and going like the Energizer bunny. “Swimming for at least 30 minutes three times a week will increase sexual endurance,” says McCall. Swimming is also a great activity for weight loss, which can also lead to better sex. A randomized, single-blind study of 110 obese men with ED found that losing just 10 percent of their body weight improved sexual function in one third of the men. And it’s no secret that losing excess body fat will help attain those six-pack abs and make you more attractive to potential partners. The result: better sex!

Try doing some (or all) of the above workouts to improve your sexual technique, endurance, and flexibility. Your mate will be impressed with your sexual powers and, as a side benefit, you’ll get healthier and fitter along the way.

Cost of Obesity

Health News

Cost of Obesity Approaching $300 Billion a Year

TUESDAY, Jan. 11 (Health Day News) -- The total economic cost of overweight and obesity in the United States is $270 billion per year while the cost in Canada is about $30 billion a year, a new study shows.

The $300 billion total cost in the United States and Canada is the result of: increased need for medical care ($127 billion); loss of worker productivity due to higher rates of death ($49 billion); loss of productivity due to disability of active workers ($43 billion); and loss of productivity due to total disability ($72 billion), said the Society of Actuaries (SOA).

People are considered overweight if their body-mass index (BMI) is between 25 and 29.9 and obese if their BMI is higher than 30.

When the SOA researchers separated the economic cost of overweight and obesity to the United States in 2009, they found that it was $72 billion for overweight and $198 billion for obesity.

The findings are based on a review of papers published primarily between January 1980 and June 2009.

"Overweight and obesity have been shown to increase the rate of several common adverse medical conditions, resulting in this extraordinary economic cost to society," study author Don Behan said in a SOA news release.

"We can't stand back and ignore the fact that overweight and obesity are drivers of cost increases and detrimental economic effects. It's time for actuaries, the employer community and the insurance industry to take action and help consumers make smart, healthy decisions," he added.

An SOA online survey of 1,000 adults found that 83 percent would be willing to follow a healthy lifestyle program if they received incentives from their health insurance plan.

Garlic and Pesto Pasta

Garlic and Pesto Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta*
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
• 8 teaspoons grated Romano cheese

Directions

1.      Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a bowl.

2.      Heat the oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook about 2 minutes, until lightly browned. Add to the pasta. Stir in the pesto, salt, and pepper. Divide among 4 plates and sprinkle each with 2 teaspoons Romano.

*Use whole wheat pasta for added protein and fiber.

*Gluten free pasta works well too (spaghetti, angel hair, penne)

*Add extra veggies such as mushrooms, broccoli, roasted red peppers, cannellini beans, chicken, etc. if desired.

Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Definition

Celiac (SEE-lee-ak) disease is a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is primarily found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. People with celiac disease who eat foods containing gluten experience an immune reaction in their small intestines, causing damage to the inner surface of the small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients.

Celiac disease can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Eventually, the decreased absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) that occurs with celiac disease can cause vitamin deficiencies that deprive your brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of vital nourishment.

No treatment can cure celiac disease. However, you can effectively manage celiac disease by changing your diet.

Symptoms

There are no typical signs and symptoms of celiac disease. Most people with the disease have general complaints, such as:

·         Intermittent diarrhea

·         Abdominal pain

·         Bloating

Sometimes people with celiac disease may have no gastrointestinal symptoms at all. Celiac disease symptoms can also mimic those of other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastric ulcers, Crohn's disease, parasite infections and anemia.

Celiac disease may also present itself in less obvious ways, including:

·         Irritability or depression

·         Anemia

·         Stomach upset

·         Joint pain

·         Muscle cramps

·         Skin rash

·         Mouth sores

·         Dental and bone disorders (such as osteoporosis)

·         Tingling in the legs and feet (neuropathy)

Some indications of malabsorption of nutrients that may result from celiac disease include:

·         Weight loss

·         Diarrhea

·         Abdominal cramps, gas and bloating

·         General weakness and fatigue

·         Foul-smelling or grayish stools that may be fatty or oily

·         Stunted growth (in children)

·         Osteoporosis

Another gluten-related condition Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering skin disease that also stems from gluten intolerance. The rash usually occurs on the torso, scalp and buttocks. Dermatitis herpetiformis can cause changes to the lining of the small intestine similar to that of celiac disease. However, it may not produce noticeable digestive symptoms. This disease is treated with a gluten-free diet, in addition to medication to control the rash.

When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you. If someone in your family has celiac disease, ask your doctor whether you may be at risk of the disease. Your doctor may recommend testing, because celiac disease tends to run in families.

Seek medical attention for a child who is pale, irritable and fails to grow, and who has a potbelly and foul-smelling, bulky stools. Other conditions can cause these same signs and symptoms, so discuss it with your child's doctor before trying a gluten-free diet.

Causes

It's not clear what causes celiac disease, which is also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue and gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Doctors know that something happens in people with celiac disease to cause the body's immune system to overreact in response to gluten in food.

Normally, your small intestine is lined with tiny, hair-like projections called villi. Resembling the deep pile of a plush carpet on a microscopic scale, villi work to absorb vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from the food you eat. Celiac disease results in damage to the villi. Without prominent villi, the inner surface of the small intestine becomes less like a plush carpet and more like a tile floor, and your body is unable to absorb nutrients necessary for health and growth. Instead, nutrients such as fat, protein, vitamins and minerals are eliminated with your stool.

While the exact cause of celiac disease is unknown, doctors have discovered that it often runs in families. If someone in your family has been diagnosed with celiac disease, you may have an increased risk of the disease. Researchers have discovered that some gene mutations seem to increase the risk of celiac disease, but having those gene mutations doesn't mean you're certain to have celiac disease. This means that other risk factors play a role in whether you'll develop celiac disease.

Risk Factors

Although celiac disease can affect anyone, it tends to be more common in people who have:

·         Type 1 diabetes

·         Autoimmune thyroid disease

·         Down syndrome

·         Microscopic colitis

·         Complications

Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to several complications:

§  Malnutrition. Untreated celiac disease can lead to malabsorption, which in turn can lead to malnutrition. This occurs in spite of what appears to be an adequate diet. Because vital nutrients are lost in the stool rather than absorbed in the bloodstream, malabsorption can cause a deficiency in vitamins and minerals, vitamin D, folate and iron, resulting in anemia and weight loss. Malnutrition can cause stunted growth and delayed development in children.

§  Loss of calcium and bone density. With continued loss of fat in the stool, calcium and vitamin D may be lost in excessive amounts. This may result in osteomalacia, a softening of the bone that in children is also known as rickets, and loss of bone density (osteoporosis), a condition that leaves your bones fragile and prone to fracture.

§  Lactose intolerance. Because of damage to your small intestine from gluten, foods that don't contain gluten also may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Some people with celiac disease aren't able to tolerate milk sugar (lactose) found in dairy products, a condition called lactose intolerance. If this is the case, you need to limit food and beverages containing lactose as well as those containing gluten. Once your intestine has healed, you may be able to tolerate dairy products again. However, some people may continue to experience lactose intolerance despite successful management of celiac disease.

§  Cancer. People with celiac disease who don't maintain a gluten-free diet also have a greater chance of getting one of several forms of cancer, including intestinal lymphoma and bowel cancer.

§  Neurological complications. Celiac disease has also been associated with disorders of the nervous system, including seizures and nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy).

Preparing for your Doctor Appointment

Make an appointment with your family doctor or general practitioner if you have signs or symptoms that worry you. If you're thought to have celiac disease, you may be referred to a doctor who treats diseases of the digestive tract (gastroenterologist).

Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

§  Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance to prepare for any potential tests. One thing you won't want to do is to restrict your diet. If you stop eating foods that contain gluten prior to getting tested for celiac disease, you may alter the test results.

§  Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

§  Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.

§  Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.

§  Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For celiac disease, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

·         What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?

·         Are there other possible causes for my symptoms?

·         What kinds of tests do I need? Do I need to do any special preparation for these tests?

·         Are blood tests enough or do I need an endoscopy?

·         Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?

·         How do I treat celiac disease?

·         Are there any other types of treatments available?

·         How will I learn which foods contain gluten? Should I see a nutritionist?

·         What foods can I eat?

·         I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?

·         Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?

·         If I have celiac disease, will you also test for other conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, thyroid problems or microscopic colitis?

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

·         When did you begin experiencing symptoms?

·         Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?

·         How severe are your symptoms?

·         What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms? Does avoiding certain foods make you feel better?

·         What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms? Does eating certain foods make you feel worse?

·         Does anyone in your family have celiac disease?

·         Do you have an autoimmune disease?

·         Does anyone in your family have an autoimmune disease?

·         Have you ever had surgery on your abdomen?

·         Have you ever had pancreas problems, such as pancreatitis?

·         Have you had any blistering or itchy skin rashes with your symptoms?

·         Have you been told you have anemia and been given iron therapy?

·         Do you have osteoporosis?

Tests and Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose celiac disease include:

§  Blood tests. Blood tests can detect higher than normal levels of certain antibodies (anti-endomysium and anti-tissue transglutaminase) in people with celiac disease. Antibodies are specialized proteins that are part of your immune system and work to eliminate foreign substances in your body. In people with celiac disease, their immune systems may be recognizing gluten as a foreign substance and producing elevated levels of antibodies to get rid of it.

§  Collecting a sample of small intestine for testing. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may want to examine a small portion of intestinal tissue to check for damage to the villi. To do this, your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) through your mouth, esophagus and stomach into your small intestine and takes a sample of intestinal tissue to examine under a microscope.

§  Swallowing a camera pill that collects pictures of the small intestine. In some cases your doctor may want to examine the entire small intestine with a capsule endoscopy. This procedure involves swallowing a pill-sized capsule that contains a tiny camera. As the camera travels through your digestive tract, it takes thousands of images and sends them to a recorder you wear on a belt. Your doctor reviews the pictures to see the inside of your small intestine. The capsule leaves your body in your stool and can be flushed down the toilet.

Some people try a gluten-free diet on their own, to see if that helps relieve their signs and symptoms. But doing so may change the results of blood tests so that they appear to be normal. So see your doctor for testing first, before you try a gluten-free diet.

Treatment and Drugs

Celiac disease has no cure, but you can effectively manage the disease through changing your diet.

Changes to your diet to avoid gluten
To manage the disease and prevent complications, it's crucial that you avoid all foods that contain gluten, including:

·         Barley

·         Bulgur

·         Durham

·         Farina

·         Graham flour

·         Rye

·         Semolina

·         Spelt (a form of wheat)

·         Triticale

·         Wheat

Your doctor may refer you to a dietitian, who can help you plan a healthy gluten-free diet.

Once you've removed gluten from your diet, inflammation in your small intestine will begin to subside, usually within several weeks, though you may start to feel better in just a few days. Complete healing and regrowth of the villi may take several months, or as long as two to three years. Healing in the small intestine tends to occur more quickly in children than it does in adults.

If you accidentally eat a product that contains gluten, you may experience abdominal pain and diarrhea. Some people experience no signs or symptoms after eating gluten, but this doesn't mean it's not harmful. Even trace amounts of gluten in your diet can be damaging, whether or not they cause signs or symptoms.

Vitamin supplements to combat malnutrition
If your nutritional deficiencies are severe, you may need to take vitamin and mineral supplements recommended by your doctor or dietitian to help correct these deficiencies. Your doctor may recommend supplements to increase your levels of:

·         Calcium

·         Folate

·         Iron

·         Vitamin B-12

·         Vitamin D

·         Vitamin K

Vitamin supplements can be taken in pill form. But in some situations, your digestive tract may have trouble absorbing vitamins. In these cases, your doctor may give the vitamins by injection.

Medications to control intestinal inflammation
In cases of severe inflammation in the small intestine, your doctor may recommend medications called steroids to control inflammation. Steroids may be used to give you relief from severe signs and symptoms until the effects of a gluten-free diet begin to become apparent.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

If you've been diagnosed with celiac disease, you'll need to avoid all foods that contain gluten. Ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian, who can help you plan a healthy gluten-free diet. Here's an overview of foods that contain gluten and gluten-free foods that are safe to eat.

Always avoid
In order to avoid eating gluten, avoid food and drinks containing:

·         Barley

·         Bulgur

·         Durham

·         Farina

·         Graham flour

·         Rye

·         Semolina

·         Spelt (a form of wheat)

·         Triticale

·         Wheat

·        

Avoid unless labeled 'gluten-free'
Avoid these foods unless they're labeled as gluten-free or made with corn, rice, soy or other gluten-free grain. Also check the label to see that they're processed in a facility that is free of wheat or other contaminating products:

·         Beers

·         Breads

·         Cakes and pies

·         Candies

·         Cereals

·         Cookies

·         Crackers

·         Croutons

·         Gravies

·         Imitation meats or seafood

·         Oats

·         Pastas

·         Processed luncheon meats

·         Salad dressings

·         Sauces (including soy sauce)

·         Self-basting poultry

·         Soups

Certain grains, such as oats, can be contaminated with wheat during growing and processing stages of production. It's not clear whether oats are harmful for most people with celiac disease, but doctors generally recommend avoiding oats unless they are specifically labeled gluten-free. The question of whether people eating a gluten-free diet can consume pure oat products remains a subject of scientific debate.

Allowed foods There are still many basic foods allowed in a gluten-free diet. With all foods, check the label to see that each is labeled gluten-free or call the manufacturer to double-check.

Grains and starches allowed in a gluten-free diet include:

·         Amaranth

·         Arrowroot

·         Buckwheat

·         Corn

·         Cornmeal

·         Gluten-free flours (rice, soy, corn, potato, bean)

·         Pure corn tortillas

·         Quinoa

·         Rice

·         Tapioca

·         Other gluten-free foods include:

·         Fresh meats, fish and poultry (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated)

·         Fruits

·         Most dairy products

·         Potatoes

·         Rice

·         Vegetables

·         Wine and distilled liquors, ciders and spirits

Fortunately for bread and pasta lovers with celiac disease, there are an increasing number of gluten-free products on the market. If you can't find any at your local bakery or grocery store, check with a celiac support group or the Internet for availability. In fact, there are gluten-free substitutes for many gluten-containing foods.

Coping and Support

Living with celiac disease can be difficult. Every day can be a challenge. Over time, however, managing your disease will become second nature. In the meantime, these suggestions may help you manage more easily:

·         Gather information about celiac disease. Talk to your doctor, look for information on the Internet, and read books and pamphlets. Ask your doctor for advice about reliable resources. Find cookbooks featuring gluten-free ingredients. Being informed about your condition can help you take better charge of it.

·         Seek out others with celiac disease. Talking to people who know what you're going through can be reassuring and informative. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a celiac disease support group in your community, or you may find one listed on the Internet or in your local paper.

·         Don't hesitate to seek guidance. If you're having difficulty coming up with suitable menus, talk to a registered dietitian. A dietitian has extensive knowledge of the nutritional aspects of food and what you can and can't eat. He or she can help you think in more creative ways about your favorite foods.