What does GMO mean??

By Lisa VanWilliams

The definition of GMO is a genetically modified organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Organisms that have been genetically modified include micro-organisms such as bacteria and yeast, insects, plants, fish, and mammals.

Are you ok with giving your family altered food? If you buy processed foods, you might be purchasing GMO products without even knowing it.  It's a science that has pro's and con's. Why would you want to alter anything natural?

WebMD did an article where they listed the risks and benefits of this concept.

Risks include:

• Introducing allergens and toxins to food
• Accidental contamination between genetically modified and non-genetically modified foods
• Antibiotic resistance
• Adversely changing the nutrient content of a crop
• Creation of "super" weeds and other environmental risks

Benefits include:

• Increased pest and disease resistance
• Drought tolerance
• Increased food supply

The big debate right now is regulation. Should producers be required to tell purchasers the item they are buying was modified? Is this genetic altering an ethical practice? Most importantly, is the food safe? Right now, they do not have to tell you. Some companies are stepping up to the plate and doing it voluntarily and others are keeping quiet because they are afraid of consumer rejection.

Check out the NON GMO Project website and find out if your favorite products are on the list or not.
What is the NON GMO Project? The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and building the non-GMO food supply, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices. They believe that everyone deserves an informed choice about whether or not to consume genetically modified organisms.
http://www.nongmoproject.org/

Motivational

Blueberry Scones

By Lisa VanWilliams

So yesterday's family blueberry picking was a success and the weather was awesome!  I just finished making these yummy blueberry scones with my 2 1/2 year old daughter.  She loves to pour everything in the bowl and stir it up with my measuring spoons.  These are gonna go great with this second cup of coffee for mommy :) 

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup blue agave
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chilled butter
1 cup fresh blueberries
3/4 cup half & half cream
1 egg

Directions:

Preheat oven at 375.
Cut butter into mixture of flour, agave, baking powder, and salt. Add blueberries and toss to mix.
In separate bowl beat together cream and egg, and slowly pour into dry ingredients, stirring with rubber scraper until dough forms. Knead just until it comes together, 3 or 4 times. Don't overhandle.
Divide dough in half. On lightly floured board, shape each half into a 6-inch round. Cut into 6 wedges.
Bake on greased sheet about 20 minutes

Bubbly Bursting Blueberries

By Lisa VanWilliams

It's that time of year in New England to get out and pick some nice ripe blueberries. My husband and I are hoping to get out there with the kids this weekend or next weekend and do some picking!  Eaten raw, blueberries are one of the top antioxidants you can have. Antioxidants help protect your cells from being damaged by free radicals that can damage cells and cause diseases. Freezing the berries does not damage the antioxidants.

Health benefits include:

• cardiovascular benefits
• cognitive benefits - they might improve your memory
• blood sugar benefits
• eye health -helps protect from sunlight damage 
• anti-cancer benefits
• may help prevent degenerative diseases
• may help prevent urinary tract infections

The US produces around 275 million pounds of blueberries every year which is more than half of the worlds production (550 million pounds grown annually worldwide).  Our distant neighbors in Maine produce the largest amount of lowbush blueberries in the world, and the wild blueberry is the official fruit of Maine.  There are two types of berry bushes - the wild ones are called "low bush" and the farmed berries are called "high bush".  Try to look for the organically grown ones because pesticide residues are bad !

Flexibility and Stretching

By Lisa VanWilliams

Always warm your muscles up before you stretch them!  It's important to raise your body temp because bottom line is you cannot stretch cold muscles. Flexibility is described as the absolute range of movement in a joint or series of joints, and length in muscles that cross the joints. People have different flexibility levels and that varies due to the differences in muscle length of multi-joint muscles.

It can improve your quality of life by maintaining a good range of motion. Loss of motion can lead to health problems such as physical issues, pain syndromes, and balance disorders.  Stretching is a way to improve your flexibility.  The best way to stretch a muscle is to apply force to the area being stretched and hold it just beyond the feeling of pain for ten seconds.  Do not hold it for too long and over stretch the muscle. 

Improving your range of motion will give you a better posture, improve your overall performance and quality of life.  The Mayo Clinic recommends to following to keep stretching safe:

• don't consider stretching a warm up. Do a light jog or walk for 5-10 mins to warm up muscles before stretching
• focus on major muscle groups -calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck and shoulders
• don't bounce because that can cause tears in muscle
• don't aim for pain -stop at the brink
• make stretches sport specific
• bring movement into your stretching

 

Deviled Eggs or Dressed Eggs for the Church Folks

By Lisa VanWilliams

Did you ever wonder why it's called a deviled egg? 

The term was coined back in the 18th century and it referred to something as being spicy or zesty.  Some cooks add cayenne pepper, others may add mustard or Tabasco but that's what puts "the devil" in the egg.  Some people may not prefer the name and they call them dressed eggs or salad eggs instead. Either way, they are a sure party pleaser and always the first thing gone. This is an easy recipe for a beginner cook or someone that's not that great of a cook. It's really hard to mess up and a great recipe to do with the kids. People will be asking you for the mystery recipe.

Ingredients:
1 dozen hard boiled eggs peeled & dried
1 teaspoon spicy mustard (Gulden's)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons relish
4-6 tablespoons mayonnaise (add to your liking but don't add to much! )
salt & fresh cracked pepper
paprika

Directions:
Cut the eggs in half and take the yolks out with a spoon and put them in a small bowl. Break the yolks down with a fork and add the salt & pepper. Then stir in remaining ingredients until creamy. Add a heaping teaspoon of the cream mixture back into the eggs. Sprinkle with paprika chill for at least and hour and enjoy ! 

Six Pack Abs And Your Diet

By Lisa & Steve VanWilliams

Everyone has a six pack, it's just hiding! It takes more than sit ups and crunches to get there. The old saying goes "abs are made in the kitchen" and the food you eat plays a major role in how your body responds.

Help boost your metabolism by eating high quality lean protein, fat in moderation, and try to keep it low carb to maintain hunger levels.  You have to burn more than you take in so watch your calories. Also, watch your alcohol intake because booze impairs your ability to burn fat. Some other factors to consider are sodium intake, sleep, and drinking lots of water.

Fitness Magazine listed the 10 best foods for flat abs:

• eggs
• almonds
• soy
• apples
• berries
• leafy greens
• yogurt
• salmon
• quinoa
• veggie soup

Your ab muscles and the muscles in your back make up your core muscles which help keep the body balanced and stable.  These muscles protect your spine and help prevent injury. 

So keep in mind, it's not just the exercises your doing, it's what your putting in your mouth too.