Best Bang For Your Buck…

Let’s see… What, pray tell, can we utilize to clean our drains out, clean our ovens, make soap, and …wait…are you ready??… preserve your foods?!  Which foods?  Why that would be foods such as mandarin oranges, pretzels, green olives, and lutefisk (a Norwegian dish).

Think I sound crazy yet?  Well, here’s what sounds crazy… LYE – which is a corrosive alkaline substance, commonly called sodium hydroxide – is used in oven cleaner, drain opener, and, yes, you guessed it, some common foods that we eat such as mandarin oranges and pretzels.  How’s that oriental salad sound now?  Not so good, huh?  I found out this tidbit of information quite a few years ago and gave up consuming or purchasing pretzels, mandarin oranges, and green olives.  I don’t need to worry about lutefisk since I don’t eat it.  Now, next time we comment on how pretty those mandarin oranges are or how tasty those pretzels are, you might pass along to your friends that there is a reason for it – and it ain’t a good one.  Why do companies do this?  Well, I suppose there are only certain inexpensive ways to cure foods and lye is one of them.  So, next time you happen to be in a restaurant and a nice presentation of salad is set in front of you, if those perky little mandarin oranges are in there, pick them out and leave them on the side of your plate.  You might be interested in the fact that those mandarin oranges will certainly not be brown by the time you are done with your salad.  Guess why yet??  You betcha, it’s all about the lye!

The Makings Of Your Beloved Pretzel

It seems as if I have now robbed you of baby carrots, tilapia, and now pretzels!  I heard more grunts and groans about these three items than I have heard of any other foods that I have written about.  I was certainly completely unaware of how many people had this great love for pretzels.  Since we’ve received many phone calls and emails regarding this beloved snack item, let me continue to burst your bubble and further disappoint by explaining, in detail, the process on how pretzels are made.  Here goes…

Mixing dough
The pretzel dough is made by factory compounders in large stainless steel tanks. The flour and warm water are stored in bulk and transferred to the tanks automatically. The yeast is added and the three ingredients are blended with high-speed horizontal mixers. When these are adequately blended, the rest of the ingredients such as sugar, sodium bicarbonate, vegetable shortening, salt and flavorings are added. Compared to many dough products such as bread or crackers, pretzel dough is relatively under mixed. This allows the dough to withstand the punishment of machining without becoming too sticky or misshapen. The dough is then allowed to ferment and rise for about 30 minutes.

Forming pretzels
The fermented dough is then transferred to the hopper of the shape-making equipment.  Traditionally, pretzels were made by rolling the dough and twisting it into the familiar pretzel shape.  However, today most companies have extrusion devices in which the dough is forced through an opening and stamped into shape with a wire cutter. The excess dough is recycled.  The dough is mixed in large vats by factory compounders.  Once fermented, the dough is transferred to a hopper, which feeds the shape-making equipment while the stamped pretzels are transferred to a conveyor.  They are passed under rollers to ensure a flat surface and uniformity of size.

Dipping and salting
The raw pretzels are next conveyed on a wire mesh belt to an alkaline bath.  It generally takes several minutes for the pretzels to reach the bath.  This slow transport is deliberate as it allows the pretzels to undergo another short fermentation or rest period.  The alkaline bath is filled with an aqueous solution of either sodium carbonate or lye.  The resulting bath has an overall 1% concentration of sodium hydroxide.  It also is held at a temperature of about 200° F (93.3° C).  The pretzels are dipped in the bath for 10-20 seconds and typically float when they are finished.  This process gelatinizes the starch on the pretzel’s surface making it gummy and sticky, allowing the salt to adhere more readily.  After the pretzels leave the hot bath, they are passed under a machine which delivers salt crystals to their surface.  Modern pretzelmaking lines use a vibrating salter, which consists of a vibrating plate driven by a series of small motors and magnets.  The salt is evenly distributed on each pretzel with the excess falling through the wire mesh belt and being recycled.  Generally, the aim is to add about 2% salt to each pretzel.

Cooking
The in-process pretzels are next transported to long, gas-fired, convection tunnel ovens.  The cooking temperature varies from 350-550° F (176.7-286.1° C) and this baking step takes from about 4-8 minutes.  In the front of the oven, the temperature is significantly higher than at the end.  The initial high heat caramelizes the gelatinized starch, which produces the characteristic dark brown pretzel color.  The temperature is gradually raised at the start because if heated too fast, the structure of the pretzels will be weakened which could cause cracking and breaking during shipping.  At the end of the oven the temperature is cooler to allow moisture in the pretzel to be released.  During this entire baking cycle, the moisture content is reduced to about 15%.  In the next baking phase, the pretzels are kiln dried or oven dried at about 250° F (119.4° C) for anywhere from 20-40 minutes.  This further reduces the moisture content to below 4%.

Packaging
From the ovens, the pretzels are passed along varies conveyors and allowed to cool.  They are then moved along to the packaging machines.  Here the pretzels are weighed and the correct amount is placed in the packaging.  They can be put in many different types of packages including trays, boxes or bags with cellophane or polyethylene protected coatings.  It is important that this packaging be air tight to prevent the uptake of moisture by the product.  Excessive moisture would cause them to become soft.  The package must also have consumer appealing graphics, which help it stand out on a store’s shelves.  Most major bakeries distribute products to all of the largest cities in the world.  Consequently, there are very few people who are unfamiliar with pretzel snacks.

So, did you get the visual about the lye bath?  Let’s see – let me quote one of my favorite lines from a movie – Jack Nicholson from Terms of Endearment:  “I would rather stick needles in my eyes!”

I know you are not happy about a lot of the information I send you regarding food – in fact, your favorite foods.  But my mission in life is to get you to live to 100, free and clear of pain and suffering.  So, in an effort to leave you on a good note, you might have to give up your beloved pretzel but here’s a tasty treat that takes minutes to prepare, gives you far more satisfaction than a pretzel and you can even sprinkle salt on it.

Kale Chips

Ingredients:

• 2 large bunches kale, washed and dried thoroughly
• extra virgin olive oil
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1.  Preheat oven to 350°.
2.  Tear apart large potato chip sized pieces of kale, some still on stalk, some not.
3.  Place enough kale on large baking sheet so most don’t overlap and lightly drizzle with olive oil (about a tablespoon).  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss well.
4.  Spread kale out evenly and bake for 10 minutes, shaking pan bake and forth a few times after 5 minutes to ensure they don’t burn.

Little Sticks Of Poison

Recently, I have come across many people – and I mean many health conscious people – who chew gum.  Why is that a problem?  Well, my friends, I am sure it hasn’t dawned on most of you, so let me point out how terrible gum really is for you.

Most chewing gum contains aspartame.  So, for those of you who do not ever drink diet soda or refrain from anything else that includes artificial sweeteners, you have either forgotten or do not consider that there might actually be something poisonous in your chewing gum.

“According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting aspartame:  Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.”

I’m sorry, but I just had to bring this up.  I’ve run into so many people of late that open up their bag and offer me a piece of chewing gum.  I find myself pointing out to people over and over that they are doing everything else right and popping little sticks of poison in their mouth and chewing it for who knows how long.  You would be better served to search out chewing gum with real sugar if you must chew gum.  But ladies, might I point out here, that years and years of chewing gum, believe it or not, will strengthen your jaw muscles and will give you a little bit more of a square jaw – I’m just sayin’.

So, let’s keep our beautiful, oval shaped face and keep our health intact.  Stay away from most chewing gums.  I’m not so sure it looks so pretty anyway.  If you need something to freshen your breath, chew on some parsley.  I promise it will do wonders for your breath and provide some fantastic antioxidants – all at the same time.

By the way – still not sold at how atrocious aspartame is?  Check out the documentary called Sweet Misery.  That will sell you.  Of course, right now, I’m getting visions of people walking around with bunches of parsley in their bag.  Not sure how that’s going to work out.  But – we’ll figure that out too!

To shake or not to shake…

Years ago, the only people who drank protein shakes were professional bodybuilders.  Nowadays, a wide variety of people drink protein shakes, it’s not just the gym rats.  People drink them as a meal replacement, pre and post workout drink and basically everything in between.  What is the function of a protein shake?  Protein is one of the body’s main building blocks for muscle, bone, skin and other tissues.  A protein shake is a quick and convenient way of getting protein in the body.

Have you ever read the ingredients of a protein shake?  Chances are, you could not pronounce most of the ingredients.  Many protein shakes are filled with artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners and other chemicals.  So, after reading the ingredients on the back of many containers, I thought to myself, there has got to be a natural way to achieve the same result.

There are typically two different kinds of protein powder; whey and casein.  Whey is a fast digesting protein.  It is usually fully digested by the body in less than an hour.  It’s most effective when consumed upon waking, to get quick fuel to the body and after a workout to get protein quickly to the muscles.  Maybe Little Miss Muffet was onto something by eating her curds and whey…not drinking them!  A great natural source of whey protein is ricotta cheese, yogurt and cheese.

The second popular form of protein is casein.  This is a slow digesting protein.  It usually takes up to seven hours to be fully digested.  Casein protein is great to have before bedtime since it takes so long to be digested and there is a steady stream of protein in the body to prevent muscle from breaking down.  Some great forms of casein protein are cottage cheese, milk (80% casein and 20% whey) and Greek yogurt.

There are so many great natural forms of protein that are quick and easy so there really is no need for an artificial, chemically filled shake.  Some great protein snacks are hard boiled eggs, string cheese, cottage cheese or shakes made with milk, Greek yogurt and peanut butter.  Once again, protein supplements should not replace real food!

If you absolutely must have a protein shake, we found one that is made with natural ingredients.  Jay Robb’s protein shakes are made from grass fed cows not treated with rBGH, no fat or cholesterol and no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.

Stay healthy and keep smiling.

HGH? I Don’t Know But Here Are My Secrets

Human growth hormone (HGH) is the latest drug people are turning to believing it will keep them looking and feeling young.  That is not the case though and experts say that belief is not supported by the studies that have been conducted.  What makes matters worse, is that these products can be harmful if used for other than their intended purpose.

HGH is produced by the pituitary gland and starts growth in children and adolescents.  HGH also assists in regulating body composition, body fluids, muscle and bone growth, sugar and fat metabolism, and possibly heart function.  HGH is also produced synthetically and is the active ingredient in many prescription drugs and in other products and is widely available through the Internet.

Synthetic HGH was developed in 1985 and approved by the FDA for specific uses in children and adults.  For children, HGH injections are approved to treat short stature with unknown causes and slow growth that may occur due to any number of medical causes, including:

• Turner’s syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects a girl’s development.
• Prader-Willi syndrome, an uncommon genetic disorder causing poor muscle tone, low levels of sex hormones, and a constant feeling of hunger.
• Chronic kidney insufficiency.
• HGH deficiency or insufficiency.
• Children born small for gestational age.

For adults, HGH is approved to treat:

• Short bowel syndrome, a condition in which nutrients are not properly absorbed due to severe intestinal disease or the surgical removal of a large portion of the small intestine.
• HGH deficiency due to rare pituitary tumors or their treatment.
• Muscle-wasting disease associated with HIV/AIDS.

Unfortunately the most common uses for HGH are not FDA-approved.  People are using HGH and other performance-enhancing drugs, to build muscle and improve athletic performance.  The sad thing is that we have no idea of what, if any effect HGH has on an athlete’s performance.

Our bodies produce less HGH naturally as we age.  Some claim that HGH products could reverse age-related bodily deterioration.  Alas these claims are unproven.  It is important to understand that the use of HGH for antiaging is not FDA approved.

Believe it or not though, people will obtain injectable HGH from doctors who prescribe it for uses for which it was not approved by the FDA and through Internet pharmacies, antiaging clinics and web sites.

Still others purchase HGH products (or products that claim to increase your body’s own production of HGH) in the form of pills and sprays.  The companies that market the products on infomercials or online, claim they turn back the body’s biological clock, reduce fat, build muscle, restore hair growth and color, strengthening the immune system, normal blood sugar, increase energy and improve sex life, quality of sleep, vision, and memory.  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has seen no evidence to support these claims.  It is also important to note that HGH is always given by injection.  When taken orally, HGH is digested by the stomach before it is absorbed into the body.

The possible side effects of HGH are:

• nerve, muscle, or joint pain
• swelling due to fluid in the body’s tissues (edema)
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• numbness and tingling of the skin
• high cholesterol levels

HGH will increase the risk of diabetes and facilitate the growth of cancerous tumors.  Try this on for size.  If you get HGH illicitly, you may not know what you are getting.  Since the cost of HGH is very high, the drugs are counterfeited.  If you do not get HGH from your doctor, you may be getting an unapproved product.  If the HGH you get is ingestible, you are literally flushing your money down the toilet.

HGH seems so popular especially among the Hollywood crew.  My personal opinion?  Quite frankly, not really sure, but from all of my research to date, I don’t think I’ll be trying it on for size.  Fountain of youth you say?  Allow me to share my own opinion regarding fountain of youth secrets.

• Always, and I mean always, wear sunglasses when outside, even in the winter (helps with the crow’s feet my friends)
• Sweat, sweat and more sweat, I am convinced sweating everyday is one of the secrets to the fountain of youth
• Eat your greens, dandelions, kale, collard greens and Swiss chard; don’t try to fill the void with supplements, just eat your greens
• Cut out white flour, instead add more quinoa, ferro and barley into your diet
• Chia seeds, oh you can’t imagine how glorious these are for antiaging
• Go nuts, I mean really go nuts!  Raw walnuts and almonds are great
• Tons of H2O folks, don’t forget!
• Reduce alcohol, I promise it will take age off your face
• B12, looking for energy?  Take it sublingually.

Well my friends I can go on and on and on…maybe next week.  Remember, all of the above are great secrets but here is my favorite secret to share with you.  Believe in God with all your heart, it will do more for your mind, body and soul than any food, drug or supplement can.

Money Saving Tips

So you want to find a couple extra bucks a month to do something fun with?  Times are tough, unemployment is high.  Now seriously, let’s think for a moment, do we really need to stop at Starbuck’s or Dunkin’ Donuts every morning?  You see my point.  There are so many ways to make small changes in our everyday lives that will pay off in a big way when you add them all up.  Here are some of my thoughts:

1. Make your own damn coffee!  No, really, do you like Starbuck’s, so buy a couple of pounds and make it at home.  Do you like Dunkin’ Donuts, buy a couple of pounds and make it at home.  Add cinnamon and honey to it at home, why not spice up your life?
2. Make your own damn beans!  Do you really need to buy canned beans?  Now this has nothing to do with my feelings related to cans.  Quite frankly, do  you have any idea how much money you would save if you, let’s say opened a bag, threw them in a pot and boiled?  Can it be any easier?  Alright, here’s where I should tell you, please make sure you wash your beans first.
3. Breakfast sandwich?  Really!  Besides the extra money, do you have any idea how many extra calories you are wasting?  Fry up your own damn eggs, add a piece of cheese (real cheese mind you) and place it in your own bread.  So it took you an extra five minutes did it?  Let’s think money and calories folks.
4. Buy a case of water, take a couple bottles with you in the morning.  No need to purchase bottled water for 10 times what it should really cost you.  But remember, I have told you in the past, filtered water is usually better than bottled water!
5. Stop buying mints and gum.  Besides the money you are spending, you will usually be chewing on little sticks of poison.  What’s my answer…nosh on a little parsley, it will last far longer and be far less expensive.
6. Make your own damn lunch!  Alright, I’m sure you knew I was going to go here.  Money and calories folks, it matters.
7. Well I simply can’t do a list about saving money without bringing this up.  Sorry folks, if you smoke, just simply give it up.  Think of what  you can do with all that extra cash!  A little teeth whitening perhaps?
8. Make your own trail mix.  Store bought trail mix is so pricey and usually full of poison.
9. Stop getting those pricey injections to plump up your lips.  Guys and gals all you need is a tooth brush.  For what you may ask?  Why to brush your lips of course.  Here’s a great trick I have used.  Take a tooth brush and brush your lips, they will certainly be a little plump for a little while.  Great to do before taking that family portrait.
10. Botox anyone?  Well, here’s my super inexpensive alternative.  Surgical tape…yes, I said surgical tape.  Take a small piece, place in between your eyebrows, right there where many people get those two funky lines.  No, not during the day, at night silly.
11. Spend lots of money at pop corn at the movies?  Well stop!  Calories and money my friends.  Place in your pocket, or your bag, a bag of sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (raw unsalted of course).  Oh, and for goodness sake bring a bag for the residuals, be kind.

Well I have so much more to say, gee what a surprise!  I shall save more of my money saving tips for another blog and bid you farewell.  I hope some of these help you.

Best Food for Your Dog

Some days I blog about a topic and I get some responses in the form of questions or comments via e-mail.  Then some days I blog about a topic and we are overwhelmed by questions and comments.  Well folks this happened this past weekend as a result of my blog on foods that may be bad for your dogs.

Apparently there are an overwhelming amount of people with an overwhelming amount of questions.  I had lunch on Friday with a soon to be new client who also had quite a few questions related to what we should be feeding our dogs.  I promised her an e-mail outlining what my advice would be.  As I was overwhelmed with e-mails and phone calls over the weekend, I decided that instead of responding to her with an e-mail I would respond with a blog so that everyone could read it, utilize it or; quite frankly, ignore it.  So without further ado here goes.

Generally speaking, especially these days, what is good for you is also good for your dog.  And what is bad for you is also bad for your dog.  Now I mean that in the most common sense sort of way.  I am quite aware that this past Friday I talked about avocados and chocolate and the like being harmful for your dog.  So my intention with this comment is to stress that harmful things such as chemicals that my be bad for you might also be bad for your dogs.

My point, if you have not guessed it already, is “organic food”.  I am not certain that the answer always is organic food but it seems to be an easy solution.  Why?  Well, check ingredients for goodness sake.  Before deciding what to feed your most favorite pet pick up the food and turn to the back of the package.  If there seems to be a lot of words that you can’t pronounce you may want to put it back on the shelf where you found it.

As it turns out I do not agree with many dog trainers.  Why? Well as it turns out, the raw food diet doesn’t excite me as much as it excites them.  What do I agree with?  Food that is lovingly made for your furry friends, without too much poison and garbage in it.

Based on personal opinion combined with extensive research, the following are my suggestions:

• Blue Buffalo
• Holistic Select
• Natural Balance
• Newman’s Own

There are many regional pet stores where you can purchase any of the above.  But if you are having trouble finding any of the foods that I have  mentioned, another place to check out is www.wag.com.  As I mentioned, you do not have to choose from any of the brands above.  Make your own decision, but make it after you’ve conducted your own research.  That is to say, conduct your own research by simply reading the back of every single label before feeding it to your favorite pets.

This blog seems to have gotten a bit lengthy and since I try very hard not to do that, let me end with this advice.  Many people asked what is the best way to solve stomach issues with our dear furry friends?  I like chicken and rice my friends.  If your dog is having issues, a little boiled chicken and rice for a few days should calm their tummy.  Then just use your common sense, if dog food is filled with lots of nasty chemicals, toss it out with the garbage and try to feed them only what makes sense to you.  I hope this helps, if not please, just let me know.  Oh and by the way, this advice also goes for their treats.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.  “Saint Valentine’s Day, often simply Valentine’s Day, is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentinus.  It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI.  It is celebrated in hundreds of countries around the world, mostly in the West, although it remains a working day in all of them.

The day first became associated with romantic in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.  By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines“).

Modern Valentine’s Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid.  Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.”

Well, just wanted to give you a brief history or what Valentine’s Day is and how it got started.  As far as I am concerned, every day is a great day.  So make this an extra special day.  Why not…

• stop and be grateful today;
•  call friends and family and share with them how grateful you are for their love and support;
• call a child and tell them how proud you are of them;
• call an old friend you haven’t spoken to in years;
• if you have nothing to do this evening after work, why not volunteer;
• greet everyone at work today with a smile;
• go out of your way to introduce yourself to a co-worker you have not met yet;
• nosh on a couple of pieces of dark chocolate and really enjoy them;
• if you are going to or from work today, take a moment to really look around and appreciate what God has created for us;
• think about the talents that God gave you, they are a gift and what you do with them is your gift to Him?

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Is Negativity Necessary?

Whitney Houston was one of the most beautiful and talented artists in the world.  I decided to wait until tomorrow for the actual blog I had in mind today.  I wanted to briefly comment on the tragic story we all heard this past weekend.  I heard many people discussing the tragedy and wondering what happened.  Everyone seems so curious about how she passed.

May I suggest we stop wondering how she passed and simply remember to say a prayer for her, her family and her friends.  Let us all just remember how truly gifted she was and how much joy she brought into everyone’s life.  There will be much written and said about her this week I am sure.  When something this tragic happens, is it really relevant to focus on the negative?  I suggest we focus on the positive, beautiful things about her life.  If you should feel compelled to discuss the negative, do so only in the form of a lesson for yourself and your own family.

She leaves behind many friends and family.  Remember to say a prayer and remember to focus on the beautiful talent that she was.

Save Yourself, Eat Chocolate!

I have come to absolutely love dark chocolate.  Why, you ask?  Well, I have a pretty serious sweet tooth and I love my body.

First and foremost, the sweet tooth.  I used to love all chocolate.  I used to love any kind of chocolate.  I now eat only dark chocolate, but I must tell you it is quite satiating.  Dark chocolate definitely does it for my sweet tooth.  70% dark chocolate, some nuts in it, ohhh baby!  That’s the best.

Besides the sweet tooth aspect, if you love your body, love dark chocolate!  Dark chocolate has 8 times the flavonoids that strawberries do.  Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, so if you want to look younger, eat a small amount (3-4 oz.) of dark chocolate daily.  Just think of dark chocolate as your soldier to fight the free radicals in your body.  In fact, I’ve decided that the dark chocolate will be my General.  Not because of my sweet tooth, but because it is fantastic for cholesterol and blood pressure.  Which means, folks, it’s great for your heart!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying to eat chocolate all day.  That would certainly not be wise and I don’t know about you, but I can’t eat 1000-2000 calories worth of chocolate, but that sure sounds fun right now.

Toss the Snickers, toss the M&Ms, and go out and buy yourself some damn fine chocolate.  It does a body good!  Oh, and by the way, this reminds me.  Do not drink a glass of milk with it.  Milk actually counteracts the benefits of the dark chocolate – believe it or not.  So, let’s all look at dark chocolate and imagine it is dripping from the fountain of youth.  But remember, it must be dark.  Sorry, no milk chocolate – give that up, baby!

Oh, and here’s a great tip I got from a lovely woman that I could have talked to for ages at Gallagher Benefits Services.  Now, I know this sounds funny, but I’ve already tried it and it works!  Do you love chocolate mousse?  With a mixer and a large bowl, combine soft avocado and cocoa powder.  Yes, I said avocado.  It tastes just like chocolate mousse!  What a fabulous tip!  Wait until you all try it.