Crunchy Cranberry Salad

Are you looking for a healthy, natural cranberry salad for Thanksgiving? If so - you can make your own - with this easy recipe I created.

Ingredients:

1 package of fresh cranberries
1 cup of water
1/4 cup of sugar 
1/3 cup of finely chopped walnuts
1/3 cup of finely chopped celery (approximately 1-2 small stalks)

Public Domain Photo Courtesy of: CCO (Creative Commons Public Domain)

Directions:

Rinse and drain cranberries. Combine cranberries, water and sugar, place in a 3 quart pan and cook for 5 minutes on a medium heat, stirring occasionally during this time while the cranberries pop. Remove cranberry mixture from heat, place in a serving dish.  Add chopped walnuts and celery.  Mix well.  Cover then chill for at least 4 hours.

This healthier version of cranberry salad is nutritious – containing antioxidants and omega 3’s. And it’s lower in sugar than most recipes too.

Consider making cranberries a part of your regular diet throughout the year.

Emergency Preparedness - 14 tips to Help You Prepare

September is Emergency Preparedness Month. Most disaster preparedness experts recommend having enough supplies to sustain yourself, family and pets for a minimum of 72 hours - and more is better. The reason is this: Gas, water, electricity and phone service may be gone and not available for several days - you'll be on your own.

Plan and prepare now, so you're ready. Remember to follow the manufacturer's directions for the storage and use of all equipment. Here are some tips to get you started:

Clouds and Mountains in San Luis Obispbo, by Carole Jakucs, 2015. Image subject to copyright.

• Bottled water: The recommendation is to have on-hand at least one gallon per person per day. And don't forget to have extra for your pets.

• Maintain a supply of non-perishable foods such as MRE's  (Meals Ready to Eat) and protein bars.

• Learn CPR and First Aid. 

• Get First Aid kits for your home and car.

• Keep any prescription medications you use on a regular basis handy and in one location if possible so if you if you have to leave your home quickly - you can grab them on your way out the door.

• Have plenty of flashlights and batteries on hand - at least one set per person.

• Know where your water and gas shut off valves are located, know how to shut them and when to shut them - in the event of leaks/broken lines.  Keep the tools you need to shut them in a specific place.

• Get an ABC fire extinguisher, keep it handy and learn how to use it.

• Consider getting an emergency generator and again, learn how to use it in advance if needing it. You'll need extra fuel to operate it so bear in mind all safety precautions for storage.

• Important legal documents should already be stored in a waterproof/fireproof container that is easy to grab if you need to evacuate your home quickly.

• Review your emergency supplies on a regular basis, checking expiration dates and to confirm all equipment still works. 

• Plan ahead for communications: Have a battery operated radio on-hand for access to public safety announcements. Try to keep your cell phones charged as much as possible. Remember to keep a charger in your car too. 

• Create a plan to contact and reunite with family members

• Create plans for escape routes from your home, neighborhood and town. Plans for this will vary depending on what type of home you're in and where you live (near the beach or in the mountains, for example).

Review the CDC and Red Cross websites for more information. 

Taking the Zing Out of Spring Allergies

Spring is here – and so are spring allergies. If you’re feeling spring’s allergy effects, you may want to read these tips below to help reduce your symptoms:

Palm Trees in Malibu. Photo by Carole Jakucs, May 2015. Image subject to copyright.

• Wash your hair often to remove pollens
• Wash your bedding (including pillow cases) in hot water once per week to reduce the dust mite population and remove pollens too (think of your pollen laden hair on your pillow case).
• Stay indoors when the pollen counts are high.
• Keep your windows closed when the pollen counts are high.
• Get HEPA filters for your home to reduce the amounts of pollens, mold and dust in the air.
• Run the air in your car for a few minutes with the windows open. This will help reduce the amount of airborne irritants inside your car from the vents and send them to the outside.
• Try nasal saline sprays to help remove mucus and irritants from your nose. The saline also helps to reduce swelling inside the nasal passages.
• Use over the counter (OTC) medications as needed to treat your symptoms. Follow all package directions. Antihistamines help with the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose and itching. Decongestants help lessen the swelling of a stuffy nose. Mucolytics help to loosen and thin out mucus in the nasal, sinus and chest areas.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help keep your mucous membranes moist and fluids moving.
• Consult with your physician/healthcare provider for any persisting or worsening of symptoms.

Food Additives Linked to Bowel Diseases, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

A new study appearing in the scientific journal Nature, shows that two commonly used food additives found in processed foods known as emulsifiers, produced inflammation and altered the microbial (intestinal bacteria) composition of the intestinal tracts of mice.

The emulsifiers used in the study; carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80, also resulted in mice developing colitis, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Given that emulsifiers are used in numerous processed foods in the United States, the concern is that there is a link with the consumption of food additives and the development of these diseases in humans. The number of people with these types of medical conditions has steadily risen over the last 50 or so years. This rising trend coincides with the use of emulsifiers in processed foods.

Emulsifiers are used in processed foods to help extend shelf life and maintain a smooth consistency and texture, similar to the reason that carrageenan, another inflammation producing additive is used by some food manufacturers.

Inflammation is a precursor of many diseases. Avoiding foods that contain inflammation inducing food additives, is one way you can help yourself stay a bit healthier.

Why are these disease provoking food additives allowed to be used in our foods? Why do companies continue to use them? Some of the chemicals approved for use in processed foods in the United States are banned in Europe. Likewise, there are some food additives used in other countries that are banned here. 

You do have a choice, however. If you choose to reduce your intake of food additives, read the labels on all the packaged foods you purchase. If enough people stop buying additive laden foods, perhaps companies will stop using them. To read a synopsis of the Nature article, click here: