Lately, there has been a lot in the news concerning obesity in America. And not just in adults--our children are over-weight, also.It's not surprising, considering the advertising dollars that are spent each year aimed at persuading children that potato chips, candy bars and other "junk food" are good for them.While we may not be able to change the world, we can change what is available to our children in our own homes.Here are a few healthy alternatives to those fat and sugar laden "store-bought" snacks.Please note that snacks and foods containing honey arenot suitable for those children under 2 years of age.>Peanut Butter Balls1/2 cup peanut butter1/2 cup honey1 cup toasted wheat germ1 tablespoons powdered milkMix ingredients well, shape into balls. Roll in coconut if desired.Store in refrigerator.>Popcorn is a great snack food. It is a good source of fiber and low in calories--until you add toppings. Don't add salt, but try sprinkling grated Parmesan or American cheese on top.Zipper top bags of popcorn are handy for taking along on picnics and other outings.>Honey "Cracker Jacks"6 tablespoons honey1/4 cup butter or margarine6 cups popped popcorn1 cup peanutsMelt honey and butter in microwave until melted and blended.Let cool.
Mix peanuts and popcorn; pour honey mixture over andstir till coated. Spread in single layer in shallow baking pan.Bake at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes. Stir several times during baking. Watch closely so it doesn't burn.Store in airtight container.>Apricot NectarSoak 1/2 cup dried apricots in 2 cups of pineapple juice for about 1 hour. Process in blender till smooth.>Fruity Soda DrinkCombine equal amounts of carbonated water with fruit juice.
Sweeten with honey, if desired.>Banana Smoothie1 1/4 cups milk1 banana1/2 teaspoon vanillaProcess in blender till smooth. This is a good way to use up bananas.With summer coming up, frozen snacks will be on our grocery lists. Why not try these alternatives?>Homemade Frozen Pops1 6-oz. can frozen juice concentrate, softened try orange, grape, or fruit punch1 juice can water2 containers of plain yogurtpopsicle sticks and cupsProcess in blender. Pour into cups and insertsticks.
Freeze.Small paper cups work pretty well as molds forthese recipes.>Make Your Own Pudding Pops1 small pkg. instant pudding mix--any flavor1 3/4 cup lowfat milkMix as directed on package. Once again, pour into molds and add sticks. Freeze. These ideas should help feed those hungry kids on these warm spring and summer days! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Could it be a mistake that "STRESSED" is "DESSERTS"spelled backwards?.
How to Reduce High Blood Pressure
Everyone has 'blood pressure'. It is a measure of how hard your heart has to work in order to pump blood around your body.
Normal blood pressure levels:
The 'normal' level is usually said to be 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic), although this varies with age, stress and activity. If your blood pressure is higher than 140/90, you should have a chat with your doctor.
How to find out if your blood pressure is high:
A person with high blood pressure can look and feel perfectly OK. There are usually very few obvious symptoms. The only way to know what your blood pressure is, is to have it measured.
So if you haven't had it checked in the last couple of years, get it checked. If you are aged 40 or over, you should get it checked about once a year, especially if you smoke or suffer from obesity or drink to excess.
If you have high blood pressure:
The most important thing is, DON'T PANIC! High blood pressure...
7 Quick Tips to a Healthier, Happier You
Health and happiness are not that difficult to have in one'slife. It just takes some attention and some action to insurethat you have as much of both as you desire.Far from being difficult, tiring exercises, getting healthycan be quite easy. A few simple acts or lifestyle changescan put you on the path to feeling happier and healthier faster than you can imagine...1. Eat breakfast every day.Your mom was right, it's the most important meal of the day.Don't skip it.2. Drink lots of water.In these days of coffee, tea, sodas, seltzers, colas andcoolers it's easy to think we're getting all the water weneed, but nothing beats good ol' plain water.
Eight glassesa day.3. Get a good night's sleep.As one who deals with sleep problems, I can tell you fromexperience, poor sleep patterns can quickly disrupt yourlife. Research shows that 6 to 8 hours of restful sleep iswhat most of us need to be happy and productive. If you'rehaving problems sleeping, contact a doctor immediately.4. Eat more...
7 Quick Tips to a Healthier, Happier You
How to Throw an Unforgettable Kids Birthday Party
Kids take their birthdays very seriously, and are extremely disappointed if their birthday parties are anything short of spectacular. Throwing an unforgettable kids birthday party can sometimes seem like a task better suited for a professional event planner.
But with the proper party supplies, a little know how and a lot of imagination, you can throw a birthday party that the kids will be talking about all year.Before you let your inner party planner take over, make sure that throughout the process you consult with the birthday boy or girl, unless of course the party is a surprise. Kids have their own ideas of what makes a party fun, and if the kids don't have a good time the party is a bust. Discuss possible theme ideas, party games, food, and favors with them to ensure everything is kid friendly.
If you are planning a surprise party you can ask siblings or friends for ideas and opinions.Theme Party IdeasA successful kids birthday party starts off with a great theme...
How to Throw an Unforgettable Kids Birthday Party
Does Olive Oil Really Help Lower The Risk Of Breast Cancer?
From past scientific reports the Mediterranean dietary intake has been proven to offer protection against many diseases.
In US studies researchers have found out in what way the Mediterranean food diet that contained a high portion of olive oil can protect against breast cancer. A component of the olive oil could even find itself in the close future used in cancer therapy.
Investigations conducted on the population of south Europe pointed out that a Mediterranean diet with a lot of fish, fruit, vegetables and olive oil protects against a row of diseases, among them are some kinds of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
In particular an illness-preventing effect is associated with olive oil and the unique oleic acid contained within it. The researchers around Javier Menendez before that Northwestern University Fine Mountain School OF Medicine in Chicago examined it at a cellular level to see the effects of the cell in contact with the acid....
Frugal and Nutritious Summer Snacks Fruit ringtones 
Buy: Hold: Sell: Jump
I'm sitting here at my computer desk with a cup of coffee at my elbow. The coffee rest in a mug, the mug garnished with the words Buy, Hold, Sell, Jump, vertically along its sides. Emblazoned across the top of the cup are the words, Wall Street, which encircles the upper portions of the mug. The handle of the mug is quite ornate, rounded at the bottom, with a cradle in the handle's top. In the cradle is a die, with a small metal pin through the die, which enables my thumb too spin the die.
Instead...
Frugal and Nutritious Summer Snacks Buy: Hold: Sell: Jump
Sweep Her Off Her Feet with a Last Minute Cruise!
Finding the perfect gift for the woman you love can be difficult, especially when the occasion warrants something really special. May we suggest surprising her with something that's sure to delight her, something that she'll never guess? Book a last minute cruise and whisk her away for a weekend or a week of romance on the high seas! It's the ultimate vacation for two, and one she'll remember for a lifetime.In fact, a last minute cruise is the height of romance ? a grand gesture that has everything...
Frugal and Nutritious Summer Snacks cruise
Networking 101: Who the Heck Will Give You Referrals?
You're a businessperson and you need business. Advertising and marketing cost time and money you don't have. You've heard that referrals others give you can work as effectively, or even better. So how do you sign up for some of these free and believable referrals? Well, the first thing to realize is that they are not for sale. The second ? that they are all around you if you know where to look.
In an effort to shed light on the subject he knows best, Dr. Ivan Misner, CEO of BNI,...
florist Frugal and Nutritious Summer Snacks
Stuf Products Unveils Its New Website
A new year and a new web site. How cool is that? Over the past few months, the Stuf Products website: www.stufproducts.com has gone through a complete revamp and redesign, with many new sections and features. They even added a bunch of new hidden trivia pieces.Now visitors can drool over all the cool rides in the "Rides" section as well as submit a picture of their ride to be posted on the "Show us your Ride" page. Or check...
Frugal and Nutritious Summer Snacks Stuf Products Unveils Its New Website Fruit