Pineapple. Performance Food of the Week

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Pineapple is your magic winter fruit.  It not only feeds your Brain, Ears, Eyes, Mouth/Teeth, Nails and Nerves – there's More! 

Bromelain, found in its fruit and stem, actively helps you digest protein and on an empty stomach is a potent anti-inflammatory.  It is known to loosen up and dissolve mucous.  If you or anyone you know is battling a cold or cough, turn to fresh pineapple for help. (I drank away a cold-filled head with 100% pineapple juice.It even helps with nausea.  The abundance of manganese supports growing healthy bones and tissue.  And, it is fat-free, low in calories and its thiamine converts is natural complex carbohydrates into energy. 

How great it is that this very sweet fresh fruit is so good for you!  (Please, stay away from canned.) Buy it whole.  When ripe, slice off the sides, cut out the stem and devour some right then and there. Later add some to salads, yogurt, fruit cup, smoothies, on pizza, pancakes, waffles, and cereal or roast it. You get a lot for your money with fresh pineapple.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

New Sweepstakes Prize!  A whole case of Organic Cinnamon Raisin Bread by Rudi's Organic Bakery. Makes the best toast.  Try grilling some with PB&J in the center.  This bread freezes well so a supply will keep until your are ready to use it.  To enter, please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.

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Happy Valentine’s Day – Love your immune system

Everywhere I turn, someone is sick.  Loving your immune system is key to fighting bugs.  Today is Valentine's Day – Chocolate Day for many.  May I please encourage you to celebrate with immune system defenders, dark chocolate. The higher percentage of cocoa in a chocolate, the higher it lands on the ORAC scale, your antioxidant guide.  Antioxidants fight bad "bugs", free-radicals, living in your body.  You want an army of them defending your family and you at all times.  60% dark chocolate has about 7 times more than blueberries.  75% dark chocolate has about 11 times that of blueberries.  That's high.  And, they are lower in sugar on which viruses and bacteria thrive.

Groom your family away from milk chocolate and start offering them 60% dark chocolate.  The Kid Kritics Approved Bissinger's 60% Dark Chocolate 100 Calorie Bar.  I have given other kids chocolates in the 70 to 80% range and was surprised at their positive reactions.  Consequently, we will be taste testing more healthy chocolates.  Will let you know what works.  In the meantime, please set the example and turn your kids on to chocolate that loves their immune systems!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Would you like me to call you next Monday and say, "You Won a Case of Enchilada Sauce Mix by Simply Organic"? If so, please enter this Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes by going to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Enter more than once to up your odds!

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Ask dr.heather: Top 3 ways to prevent colds and flus

Health Question: Cold season is now here but what can I do to prevent my family from getting sick?

I adore these proactive questions! Being aware of ways to prevent a cold, strengthening  your immune system and knowing things to do if you do get sick, are great ways to have control of your overall health.

The immune boasting basics

1. Eat your greens…

And your yellows, blues, reds and oranges. Indulging your taste buds and body in a wide variety of colorful nutrient packed foods is the first step in giving your immune a fabulous fighting chance to combat any germs.

2. Drink herbal tea and water…

Quenching your thirst with fluids is an important in keeping your body hydrated and flushing out ( remember those emmunctories?) toxins. There are many delicious herbal teas flavors available and if plain water doesn’t excite you, try infusing it with some citrus fruit like oranges and lemons.

3. Take a time out…

Stress will depress and suppress ( ie: weaken) the immune system which in turn may lead to a possible cold. Take a few moments everyday to deep breath, take a warm bath or a stroll around your neighborhood.

If you get a cold or feel one coming on…

1. Sleep or take a nap…

Taking one day to nap and take care of yourself can prevent many many sick days.

2. Do hydrotherapy…

This a family favorite – magic socks. It will increase circulation which allows for your white blood cells to get to where they need to be optimally.

3. Botanicals and supplements…

Vitamin c, echinacea, garlic capsules are just a few of the products that will help keep your immune system strong. Remember to be supplement savvy though! And click here to have more of a detailed list that I suggest to my patients.

If you have a health question that you would like answered, please email me at drheather@drheathernd.com.

Here’s to your health!

Be well,

Dr. Heather Manley, who in 2001 received her medical degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, is a practicing physician whose primary interest is preventative healthcare for families. She is the author of Human Body Detectives, her children’s educational series of story-telling books, ebooks, and iphone/ipad apps. She also promotes wellness and naturopathic healthcare on her website drheathernd.com. She lives on the Big Island of Hawaii with her husband and two daughters, and is currently at work on the next Human Body Detectives adventure.

Follow drheather on twitter and facebook

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From Fat & Sick to Thin & Healthy. True Story

From fat to thin, from sick to healthy, from True Body Age of 67 back to 42 in 3 years! It took Celeste only  21 days to shed her illnesses including IBS. All by eating "real food", raw fruits and vegetables. This is common sense simple, saves money and time.  Both Celeste and her husband have maintained their youthful weight and health for 5 years.  They are the testimonial you need to believe you can so this.  And, the food is delicious.  Listen to the podcast of this interview to learn more on www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com, Or you can go to iTunes, Podcast, Better Food Choices and listen. Their book, filled with recipes, is a must read for anyone who wants to become Wonderfully Well.
… for the health of your family.
ellen 
Yes, I pulled out my juicer and plugged it in – back to juicing in my house!

Time to enter to Win a Case or Yummi Bears Immunity Shield by Hero Nutritionals, AND, a clever children's book, Battle with the Bugs, by Dr. Heather Manley.  Keep your kids healthy all winter with this combo prize. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!  (Prize changes on Monday.)

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Wake up to the Yogurt Fool Facts

It just makes me mad.  Plain yogurt is healthy.  It is what many food companies do to it that makes it unhealthy. You think yogurt with fruit on the bottom is healthy – too many have more sugar than a candy bar.  Watch for the amount of sugar and ingredients in all flavored yogurts. There are some healthier brands. It's really better to buy plain and add your own fresh or frozen fruit.  Bottled drinkable yogurts/smoothies may have as many calories as an ice cream dessert.  Again, it is all the added ingredients used to make it that are collectively unhealthy.  Instead, make you own yogurt smoothies with fresh fruit.  Frozen yogurt is mostly misleading as to its health benefits.  By the time it is flavored and sprinkled with toppings, you are really looking at an ice cream sundae.  Please watch out for sugar and fat-free versions.  Artificial ingredients are the worst!  Now you know not to be fooled by some food companies.  Outsmart them with your knowledge – Buy Smart.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Today, enter to win a book and a case of supplements, both for your children. Battle with the Bugs, written by Dr. Heather Manley is part of her Human Detective Series – it's a brilliant educational story.  Yummi Bears Organic Immunity Shield by Hero Nutritionals are created to help protect cold and flu bugs from your children.  Perfect time of year for these prizes.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Enter more than once to up your odds!

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Recipe. Falafel Chips Crusted Chicken Strips

Thank you Nutrition Babes,  Lauren Harris-Pincus,MS,RD & Kathleen Siegel, RD,CDN, for this recipe.  It is so easy, extra nutritious and delicious!  Using the what I call "meal in a chip" gluten-free organic  Falafel Chips to coat the chicken takes the flavors and nutrient value to a whole new level.  The Original Falafel Chips were used by The Nutrition Babes.  For those who love the taste of hot, the Spicy Falafel Chips are recommended.  All you do is crush the chips, press on the chicken until coated, then lightly cover with olive oil spray and bake.  For details, please go to www.KidKritics.com as it is featured on the home page.  Jump on this Kid Kritics Approved recipe idea.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Win both a Children's Book and a Case of Supplements! Battle with the Bugs by Dr. Heather Manley, and, Yummi Bears Organic Immunity Shield by Hero Nutritionals are this week's sweepstakes prizes.  The theme, keep your kids from catching colds and the flu this winter.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter today.

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Would you like to WIN a Book for your children?

We have an additional sweepstakes prize, a book from the Human Body Detective.  Battle with the Bugs was written by Dr. Heather Manley for boys and girls ages 6-10.  Experience has taught her that kids are more likely to take better care of themselves when they have an understanding of how their body works.  The cool thing is she has made this learning process a fun captivating adventure.  So, if you want to win this book, go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes as it is included with the  case of Yummi Bears Organic Immunity Shield.  This prize is about keeping your children well this winter!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

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Lamb. Performance Food of the Week

Lamb, our family favorite, is loaded with nutrients that feed your Brain, Blood, Bones, Hair, Heart, Lungs, Mouth/Teeth, Muscles, Nails, Nerves, Nose and Skin! Why is it that so many people don't eat lamb?  The key is to rub this meat with lemon before cooking to lighten the flavor.  We coat roasts and chops with garlic, rosemary and sea salt mixed with some olive oil.  Oh my, super delicious, really! Roast leg of lamb, lamb chops, ground lamb or lamb stew are on our weekly menu.  Ground lamb is the most cost efficient buy. Make meatballs or burgers (grilled!) or cook and mix it  in with mashed potatoes and other veggies  – Shephard's Pie.  Small lamb chunks in stew helps your budget as a little goes a long way – great winter meal.   Try it!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Is this your week to Win a Case of Yummi Bears Organic Immunity Shield by Hero Nutritionals.  Can you imagine having this winter supply to help prevent your kids from missing school – help avoid colds and flu in your home?  To enter, please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.

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Dr. Bob Sears says, “Most illnesses should not keep your kids out of school.”

You heard right.  Fevers are the exception.  Minor illnesses with them feeling well enough are acceptable school attendance days.  Having all kids keep their washed hands to themselves and using the "Dracula Cough" method (cough into your elbow) is advised.  I remember feeling so guilty sending my sniffling daughter to school when I had to be in an office.  If I had only known Dr. Sears then.  His recommendation has to provide relief for working moms!  Dr. Bob Sears had a lot more to share about prevention with us on today's interview.  To hear him, go to www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com, or,  www.iTunes.com  – Podcast – Better Food Choices.  It will be worth your time.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Win a Case of Tomato Basil Spaghetti Sauce by Simply Organic. "It's the BEST I have ever had in my whole life!" (Kid Kritic).  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter today.

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Did You Know, you touch your face about 15 times an hour?

More specifically, on average, we touch our eyes, nose and lips 15 times an hour*.  I will confess that sometimes I probably exceed that by about 5 times, especially if you add ears and hair to this list.  Now that you know this, pay attention to how many times you spread germs this way.  Kids do this too.  No wonder we get colds and flues.  Start observing and try to curb this habit.  My eyes, nose and lips are safe when I am gardening, swimming, and washing dishes, not when I am typing.  I need to change my ways… how about you?

… for the health of your family,
ellen


HELP YOUR FOOD BUDGET.  Enter to win a case of Multigrain Oat Organic Bread by Rudi's Organic. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes. Enter more than once to up your odds!

*Source: "An Ounce of Prevention", Prevention Magazine, 10/2011, p. 144.


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