10 Small Ways to Make the World a Better Place

Here are ten little gestures, all of them easily within your grasp, that can spread goodwill in your own community, and increase your sense of mindfulness about the people around you and your relationship to them.

1. Tip generously: Leaving as large a tip as you can afford not only puts a little extra money in your servers’ pocket, it tells them that they’re appreciated.
2. Compliment someone: Be honest and sincere. Don’t expect anything in return.
3. Be totally open with someone: Let someone know exactly how you feel about something; letting someone into your confidence can be a great way to show your trust and appreciation of them.
4. Give someone a book you’ve read: Making a gift of something you’ve read and enjoyed is more than just a nice gesture, it’s a way of showing someone that you think of them, you understand them, and you want to share something with them.
5. Make something for someone: Give without expectations -- whether they return the favor or not, whether they like it or not, whether they’re nice to you or not, these are all irrelevant.
6. Send a letter, email, tweet, or text message out of the blue: Maybe they’ll respond, maybe not -- it’s beside the point. They just need to know that they’re important to you.
7. Commend an employee to their manager: It’s one thing to tip or compliment someone for their service, it’s another to contact their manager and tell them what a great job they’ve done.
8. Teach someone how to do something: Share your skill or talent with someone. Have patience and respect; you’re giving them a gift, not compensating for some lack in their character.
9. Let someone shine: Put a spotlight on someone else’s talents by letting them take over a presentation, deferring to their wisdom, or asking their advice.
10. Connect like minds: Introduce two friends or colleagues who you feel have something to gain from each other.

How do you try to make the world a better place?

Sources:
Lifehack November 30, 2009

http://blogs.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2009/12/30/10-Small-Ways-to-Make-the-World-a-Better-Place.aspx

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Think You Are Doing Your Body A Favor By Ordering A Salad? Think again.

Many of us believe that eating salad at a restaurant is good for us. Sometimes we may be right but in most cases it is far from the truth. Most coffee shops serve a salad made from iceberg lettuce. This lettuce has no nutritional value, it is very basically fiber held together by water. In the digestive system iceberg lettuce has the nasty habit of turning into a slime that your body then has to break down.

On top of this leafy non-nutritional plate or bowl full, we pour all sorts of different types of salad dressings. Most of these dressings are a creamy sort that is full of fat and sugars. Why do we use these dressings in such large amounts on this particular salad? Because by itself iceberg lettuce has very little taste and this is because, as I said before, it is simply fiber and water.

So next time you think you are going to suffer through a salad in order to feel like you’re doing your body some good, consider this article and maybe decide to go with soup instead. The soup may not be all that good for you but at least you are getting some good flavor for your trouble and you aren’t telling yourself stories.

If a salad is available that has deep green vegetables of all kinds, that one will be healthy for you, but again, dousing it with a large dollop of dressing will negate it’s value to a degree.

Calories in Salads - did your favorite salad's calorie count surprise you?

Source:

http://www.healthinlife.com/think-you-are-doing-your-body-a-favor-by-ordering-a-salad/

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Healthy Spring Recipe: Grilled Pork Tenderloin & Asparagus with Peanut Dipping Sauce

In this recipe, half the marinade is used to flavor the meat and vegetables. The other half is whisked with peanut butter to create a tasty dipping sauce -- a fun job that kids can lend a hand with. You can also enlist their help preparing the asparagus: show them how to gently hold an end in each hand and then bend the stalk into an upside-down U until the tough part snaps off.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon peeled and grated fresh ginger

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, rinsed and snapped
• 1 pound pork tenderloin
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

Instructions

1. Make the marinade by whisking together the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, honey, ginger, garlic, and lemon pepper in a bowl, and reserve 1/2 cup of the mixture in a separate container.

2. Place the asparagus in a ziplock bag and pour in 1/4 cup of the marinade from the bowl. Work the bag gently with your fingers to distribute the marinade. Do the same with the pork tenderloin, using a second ziplock bag and the remaining marinade from the bowl. Let the meat and vegetables marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare a charcoal fire or heat a gas grill to medium-high, and oil the grates.

3. Add the peanut butter to the reserved marinade and whisk the mixture until smooth.

4. Grill the tenderloin for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, rotating it a quarter turn at a time, until the internal temperature registers 145º in the center. Remove the meat from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes (the internal temperature will rise to 150º). Meanwhile, grill the asparagus spears for 2 minutes per side.

5. Slice the pork diagonally into 1- to 2-inch slices. It should be juicy and slightly pink inside. Serve the meat and the asparagus with the peanut dipping sauce. Serves 4.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving:
Calories 431
Protein 35g (71% DV)
Carbohydrates 14g (5% DV)
Total Fat 27g (42% DV)
Saturated Fat 6g (31% DV)
Cholesterol 75mg (25% DV)
Sodium 1141mg (8% DV)
Vitamin C (50% DV)
Vitamin B6 (38% DV)
Vitamin E (21% DV)
Vitamin K (85% DV)
Iron (16% DV)
Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Source:
http://familyfun.go.com/spring/spring-recipes/spring-dinners/grilled-pork-tenderloin-asparagus-with-peanut-dipping-sauce-688710/

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

The kiss of death: does your lipstick contain lead? Check out this list!

Is it true that lipstick contains lead?

For several years, there has been some concern about lead in lipstick. To date, there is no evidence of high levels of lead in lipstick, though some brands do contain very small amounts of lead.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cosmetics sold in the United States under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Under the act, the FDA doesn't subject cosmetics, including lipstick, to scrutiny and approval before these products are marketed. The exception is most lipstick color additives, which are screened before being marketed. FDA regulations for approved color additives allow trace levels of heavy metals, including lead. To date, the FDA has not determined these levels to be a health threat. Other ingredients in lipsticks, such as waxes and oils, are not subject to FDA testing.

The FDA is developing a lead test for lipsticks and says that it intends to publish results in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Meantime, there is no recommendation from the FDA that restricts the use of lipsticks because of lead.

Lipsticks with less than 0.02 parts per million (ppm) lead
Brand	Product Name/Shade	Lead	Parent Company	State	Purchase Date
Avon	Ultra Color Rich Cherry Jubilee	<0.02	Avon	MA*	08/27/07
Body Shop	Lip Colour Garnet	<0.02	L'Oreal	MA	08/27/07
Body Shop	Lip Colour Garnet	<0.02	L'Oreal	CA	08/27/07
Clinique	Long Last Lipstick Merlot	<0.02	Estee Lauder	MA	08/27/07
Dior	Replenishing Lipcolor Red Premiere	<0.02	LVMH	MA	08/27/07
Estee Lauder	Maraschino	<0.02	Estee Lauder	MN	08/26/07
MAC	Matte Lipstick Viva Glam 1	<0.02	Estee Lauder	MA	08/27/07
Revlon	Superlustrous Love That Red	<0.02	Revlon	CT	08/27/07
Revlon	Superlustrous Bed of Roses	<0.02	Revlon	CA	08/23/07
Revlon	Colorstay Lipcolor Red Velvet	<0.02	Revlon	CA	08/23/07
Tarte	Inside Out Vitamin Lipstick	<0.02	Tarte	MA	08/27/07
Wet N Wild	Wild Mega Colors Cherry Blossom	<0.02	Markwins	CA	08/23/07
Wet N Wild	Wild Mega Colors Cherry Blossom	<0.02	Markwins	CT	08/27/07
Lipsticks with detectable levels of lead but less than 0.1 ppm lead (the FDA-recommended limit for candy)
MAC	Matte Lipstick Viva Glam	0.03	Estee Lauder	MN	08/26/07
Revlon	Love That Red	0.03	Revlon	MN	08/26/07
Cover Girl	Queen Collection Ruby Remix	0.03	P & G	CT	08/27/07
Clinique	Long Last Paprika	0.03	Estee Lauder	CA	08/23/07
Dior	Replenishing Lipcolor Red Premiere	0.04	LVMH	CA	08/26/07
Body Shop	Garnet	0.06	L'Oreal	MN	08/26/07
Wet N Wild	Cherry Frost	0.06	Markwins	MN	08/26/07
Clinique	Red	0.09	Estee Lauder	MN	08/26/07
Burt's Bees	Lip Shimmer Merlot	0.09	Burt's Bees	MA	08/29/07
Lipsticks with lead levels higher than 0.1 ppm
Maybelline	NY Moisture Extreme Scarlet Simmer	0.11	L'Oreal	CT	08/27/07
Cover Girl	Incredifull Lipcolor Maximum Red	0.12	P & G	CA	08/23/07
Peacekeeper	Paint Me Compassionate	0.12	Peacekeeper	MA	08/27/07
Maybelline	NY Moisture Extreme Midnight Red	0.18	L'Oreal	MN	08/26/07
Maybelline	NY Moisture Extreme Cocoa Plum	0.19	L'Oreal	CA	08/23/07
Dior	Addict Positive Red	0.21	LVMH	CA	08/23/07
Cover Girl	Continuous Color Cherry Brandy	0.28	P & G	CA	08/23/07
L'Oreal	Colour Riche True Red	0.50	L'Oreal	MN	08/26/07
Cover Girl	Incredifull Lipcolor Maximum Red	0.56	P & G	MN	08/26/07
L'Oreal	Colour Riche Classic Wine	0.58	L'Oreal	CT	08/27/07
L'Oreal	Colour Riche True Red	0.65	L'Oreal	CA	08/23/07

Sources:

Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-in-lipstick/AN01618

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071012/lipstick_chart_071012/20071012/

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

How to Prevent Lower Back Pain

Back pain affects about 8 out of 10 people. But there are many steps you can take to avoid it. One of the best things you can do to prevent back pain is to exercise regularly and keep your back and abdominal muscles strong.

Here are some quick pointers to prevent back problems:

• Always stretch before any strenuous physical activity
• Don’t slouch when standing or sitting
• Sit in chairs or car seats with good lumbar support
• Switch sitting positions often and periodically walk around or gently stretch muscles to relieve tension
• Don’t bend over without supporting your back
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes
• Sleep on your side to reduce any curve in your spine, and always sleep on a firm surface
• Lift with your legs, keeping your back straight
• Try to control your weight
• If you smoke, quit; smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine and causes the spinal discs to degenerate

Also, to keep your spine strong, as with all bones, you need to get enough vitamin D every day.

Sources:

Live Science March 16, 2010

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Americans Don't Get Enough Sleep - how many hours a night do you sleep?

The National Sleep Foundation has releases its annual "Sleep in America Poll," which reveals how much sleep Americans are getting, what their bedtime habits are, and who's taking medications when sleep is elusive. This year, for the first time, the report explored differences in the sleep habits of different ethnic groups.

And overall, no one's getting enough sleep. Fewer than half of respondents from each ethnic group say they get a good night's sleep on most nights.

African Americans reported the least amount of sleep. Inadequate sleep is starting to be associated with obesity, heart disease and diabetes -- all diseases that are more prevalent among African Americans.

Each person's sleep requirement is different. Some people find that they only need 5-6 hours of sleep, while others need 10-11 hours for optimal performance. The average adult functions best with 7-8 hours of sleep a night; however, it is important to consider how much sleep you need on an individual basis.

Share with us! On average how many hours of sleep each night?

Sources:
USA Today March 8, 2010

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Insufficient Vitamin D Will Wreck Your Muscles

There's an epidemic in progress -- and it has nothing to do with the flu. A ground-breaking study found an astonishing 59 percent of study subjects had too little Vitamin D in their blood. Nearly a quarter of the group had serious deficiencies (less than 20 ng/ml).

The study was also the first to show a clear link between Vitamin D levels and the accumulation of fat in muscle tissue -- a factor in muscle strength and overall health. Scientists have known for years that Vitamin D is essential for muscle strength.

Studies in the elderly have showed bedridden patients quickly gain strength when given Vitamin D.

Are you getting enough Vitamin D? Come into the pharmacy and we'll help you examine the different ways you can improve your Vitamin D intake.

Sources:
Eurekalert March 9, 2010

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

5 Things That Can Make You Happier - share your ideas to help us create a list of 10!

Here are five things that research has shown can improve happiness:

1. Be grateful -- People who were asked to write letters of gratitude to people who had helped them in some way reported a lasting increase in happiness -- over weeks and even months -- after implementing the habit. Even when people wrote letters but never delivered them to the addressee, they still reported feeling better afterwards.

2. Be optimistic -- People were asked to visualize an ideal future and describe the image in a journal entry. After doing this for a few weeks, these people too reported increased feelings of well-being.

3. Count your blessings -- People who practice writing down three good things that have happened to them every week show significant boosts in happiness. The act of focusing on the positive helps people remember reasons to be glad.

4. Use your strengths -- Another study asked people to identify their greatest strengths, and then to try to use these strengths in new ways. This habit, too, seems to heighten happiness.

5. Commit acts of kindness -- It turns out helping others also helps ourselves. People who donate time or money to charity, or who altruistically assist people in need, report improvements in their own happiness.

We'd love to make a list of 10 things that can make you happier - what do you to do to improve your happiness?

Sources:
Yahoo News February 22, 2010

10 Best New Healthy Breakfast Cereals - What are you favorite healthy cereals?

Looking for a healthy way to start your day? Give these healthy -- and tasty-- new breakfast cereals a try.

Stuck in a rut with the same old, same old breakfast cereal? There are plenty of new offerings out there in your grocery store -- including many that are higher in fiber and lower in added sugar than the old standards. To find the 10 best new cereals, WebMD took to the cereal aisle with a spoon and calculator in tow.

Each of the great-tasting cereals on this list contains less than 28% calories from sugar, and gives you at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. And here are two easy tricks to make them even more nutritious: Add 1% or skim milk to cold cereals (or cook hot cereals with milk), and top them with fruit and/or nuts.

1. Frosted Mini-Wheat Cinnamon Streusel

If you like Frosted Mini-Wheats but are bored with the standard flavor, take the Cinnamon Streusel flavor for a spin. These mini biscuits have the signature crunchy texture, but with a nice cinnamon flavor added.

A 1.8 oz serving (24 biscuits) has 180 calories, 4 grams (g) protein, 44 g carbohydrate (12 g sugar), 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 5 g fiber, and 0 mg sodium. Calories from sugar: 27%.

2. Fiber One Caramel Delight

This cereal will appeal to all the sweets lovers out there who are looking for a higher-fiber cereal with less sugar. Caramel Delight cereal squares have a crunchy texture that holds up in milk. Best of all, they don’t taste like a super high-fiber cereal, with their pleasantly sweet caramel flavor.

A 1.8 oz serving (1 cup) has 180 calories, 3 g protein, 41 g carbohydrate (10 g sugar), 3 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 9 g fiber, 260 mg sodium. Calories from sugar: 22%.

3. Raisin Bran Extra!

This version of Raisin Bran embellishes the traditional crispy flakes and plump raisins with yogurt clusters, sweet cranberries, and almond slices. I was personally hoping to find more sliced almonds and dried cranberries in the mix. But overall, this is a more interesting version of an all-time favorite.

A 1.9 oz serving (1 cup) has 190 calories, 5 g protein, 44 g carbohydrate (13 g sugar), 3 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 7 g fiber, 350 mg sodium. Calories from sugar: 22%.

4. Kashi Summer Berry Granola

This relatively new granola has a unique berry flavor, with strawberries, blackberries, and kiwi in almost every bite. Each serving contributes .35 grams of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, mainly coming from canola oil.

A 1.9 oz (1/2 cup) serving has 220 calories, 6 g protein, 39 g carbohydrate (9 g sugar), 6 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 7 g fiber, 150 mg sodium. Calories from sugar: 16%.

5. Shredded Wheat Vanilla Almond, Spoon Size

Ground vanilla beans give a pleasant vanilla flavor to this cereal, which is fortified with a variety of vitamins and minerals (iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, and zinc.) Although sugar is the second ingredient listed on the label, the calories from sugar total a respectable 23%. Almonds, which sit on top of the bite-size biscuits, are listed as the third ingredient on the label.

A 1.8 oz (1 cup) serving has 190 calories, 4 g protein, 43 g carbohydrate (11 g sugar), 1.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 5 g fiber, 45 mg sodium. Calories from sugar: 23%.

6. Kashi Go Lean Crisp! Toasted Berry Crumble

This new Kashi cereal with cranberries and wild blueberries is higher in protein and lower in carbohydrate than most breakfast cereals. The flavors and textures combine nicely in a crunchy cereal that goes well with milk or as a topping for yogurt.

A 1.8 oz (3/4 cup) serving has 190 calories, 9 g protein, 35 g carbohydrate (12 g sugar), 4 g fat, .5 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 8 g fiber, 130 mg sodium. Calories from sugar: 25%.

7. Banana Nut Bear Naked 100% Pure & Natural Cereal

If you're a fan of bananas, you'll probably love this new cereal. The 2.5 grams of saturated fat, which comes from the coconut oil used to make the banana chips, may sound a bit high. But when you have the cereal with some skim milk, your breakfast will contain less than 9% calories from saturated fat. Without the milk, it contains 10% calories from saturated fat.

A 2 oz (3/4 cup) serving has 220 calories, 5 g protein, 43 g carbohydrate (13 g sugar), 5 g fat, 2.5 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 7 g fiber, 210 mg sodium. Calories from sugar: 24%.

8. Cinnamon Puffins (Barbara’s Bakery)

Technically, this isn’t a new cereal -- but you may not have tried it yet, as this brand is most often found at alternative markets, such as Trader Joe’s. Ground cinnamon dusts both sides of the cereal pillows, which are wheat-free and made mainly of corn meal, corn bran, and oat flour. Unsulphured molasses is the main sweetener.

A 1.1 oz (2/3 cup) serving has 100 calories, 2 g protein, 26 g carbohydrate (6 g sugar), 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 6 g fiber, 150 mg sodium. Calories from sugar: 24%.

9. Heart Healthy Whole Grain Cranberry Instant Oatmeal (Trader Joe’s)

This instant oatmeal is not only unusual because it features dried cranberries, but also because it contains ground flaxseed (although the package doesn’t say how many grams of omega-3s are in each serving) and healthy plant sterol esters (adding .65 grams of plant sterol esters per serving). The third ingredient listed on the label, inulin, is a good-for-you soluble fiber.

10. Kashi Go Lean Honey & Cinnamon Instant Hot Cereal

Unlike oatmeal, this instant hot cereal has a variety of taste and textures. It’s only slightly sweet, so you may want to add some fresh, frozen, or dried fruit for some added flavor.

One packet has 150 calories, 8 g protein, 26 g carbohydrate (7 g sugar), 2 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 5 g fiber, 100 mg sodium. Calories from sugar: 19%.

Source:

By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
WebMD Expert Review

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/10-best-new-healthy-breakfast-cereals?page=3

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

6 Natural Cures for Dry Skin - What do you use to combat dryness?

Soothe the dryness of fall and winter with these spa-approved all-natural tips and treatments.

For natural dry-skin care, raid your kitchen to create your own homemade spa treatments.

For many of us, the cooler weather brings parched, flaky skin and flyaway, staticky hair. The culprit: lower humidity in the air, which dries your skin. Central air and heating, space heaters and fireplaces all contribute to lower humidity levels. To combat dryness, try these natural dry-skin care treatments from Ilona Pecnikov, director of esthetics at the New York City spa Just Calm Down, and Julie Gabriel, owner of skin care line Petite Marie Organics and author of The Green Beauty Guide: Your Essential Resource to Organic and Natural Skincare, Hair Care, Makeup and Fragrances. You'll be soft and silky in no time.

1: Dab on olive oil.

When it comes to strategies for natural dry-skin care, Gabriel swears by olive oil, an amazing multitasker. It instantly grooms dry cuticles, works wonders on hands and elbows, removes makeup, and soothes and conditions itchy, dry skinall over the body. "When your skin feels extra parched, you can dab a thin layer of organic extra-virgin olive oil under your moisturizer for an extra dose of antioxidants and good fatty acids," adds Gabriel.

Want more home remedies? Find out the 8 surprising uses for vinegar.

2: Try natural exfoliants like yogurt, papaya and pumpkin.

You can find plenty of options for natural dry-skin care in your kitchen or in the produce and dairy aisles of your supermarket. Yogurt, especially the plain Greek variety, makes an excellent cleanser with a mild exfoliating action that will remove dry skin and leave you feeling refreshed and comfortable. Gabriel says it's a particularly safe exfoliant for very dry skin because it exfoliates using lactic acid, not scrubbing granules.

To add some oomph, try making Pecnikov's Greek Yogurt and Papaya Enzyme Conditioning Mask for Face & Décolleté: Mix a half cup of Greek yogurt with 3 tablespoons of mashed-up papaya and apply to skin. Pumpkin enzymes are at play in Pecnikov's Pumpkin & Cinnamon Mask for Face and Body; mix one can of pumpkin and a half teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Leave either mask on face or body for five to 15 minutes. Or treat your extremities to Pecnikov's Three Berry Antioxidant Hand and Foot Mask: Mix three-quarters of a cup each of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries with a half cup kefir in blender. Drink any leftovers!

We're told frequent hand-washing can prevent colds and the flu, but it can also dry your hands. Are we overusing antibacterial soaps?

3: Make a homemade skin scrub.

Economical and effective, a combo of sugar and any oil you may have around the kitchen makes a rich, nourishing body scrub for dry skin, according to Gabriel. Simply mix equal amounts of fine brown sugar and oil, and rub on using light circular motions. For an extra dose of vitamins and minerals, add a tablespoon of honey. Pecnikov adds lemon juice to her recipe. Make sure to shower thoroughly afterward!

4: Harvest the healing power of honey.

Honey is a time-tested cure for chapped, cracked lips, according to Gabriel. Apply a little organic honey in the evening and wake up to smooth, yummy lips. This trick also works to soothe cracked heels and rough elbows

5: Try natural remedies for dry hair.

For dry hair, mix one egg yolk and a tablespoon of liquid castile soap to shampoo your hair and condition your itchy scalp. Egg yolks, when massaged into the hair and left to work for five to six minutes, may strengthen the scalp, and some believe it prevents hair loss, says Gabriel. Or try Pecnikov's Hydrating Mask for Dry Overworked Hair: Mix 1 avocado with 2 tablespoons each of lightly heated rapeseed and olive oil. Massage into hair, and put plastic shower cap on head to retain heat and moisture. Leave on hair for 15 minutes. Double the ingredients for longer hair.

6: And don't forget to treat your skin from the inside out.

"A diet rich in magnesium, essential fatty acids, vitamin C and beta-carotene naturally feeds your skin from inside and makes it less prone to dryness," says Gabriel. She recommends feeding your skin with a meal plan that includes dark chocolate, salmon, and other fatty fish, oranges, mango, and carrots.

Find out here if you're meeting the guidelines for necessary vitamins.

Please stop by the pharmacy and ask one of our expert staff to help you choose the appropriate nutritional supplements.

Source:
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/skin-and-hair/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100248203

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Does your family have any traditions for St. Patrick's Day? Here are a few healthier versions of Irish classics!

Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 3 ounces beef, about 1 1/2 cups cabbage, and about 1 1/3 cups potatoes)

Ingredients

• 1 (4-pound) cured corned beef brisket, trimmed
• 16 cups water
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pickling spice
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
• 1 (2 1/2-pound) head green cabbage, cored and cut into 1-inch strips
• 4 pounds small red potatoes, quartered
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 (5-ounce) jar prepared horseradish, drained and squeezed dry
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Preparation

Place brisket in a large stockpot; add water and next 5 ingredients (water through garlic). Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 3 hours. Remove brisket from pot.

Place brisket on the rack of a broiler pan or roasting pan coated with cooking spray; place rack in pan. Strain cooking liquid through a colander into 2 large bowls; discard solids. Return liquid to pot. Add caraway seeds and cabbage; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes. Drain.

While cabbage is cooking, place potatoes in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook 20 minutes or until tender. Drain. Return potatoes to pan. Stir in parsley, butter, rind, juice, and pepper; toss to coat.

Preheat broiler.

Combine breadcrumbs and horseradish. Spread mustard over one side of brisket. Press breadcrumb mixture onto mustard. Broil 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve brisket with cabbage and potatoes.

Nutritional Information

Calories:v321 (41% from fat)

Fat:14.5g (sat 4.6g,mono 6.5g,poly 0.8g)

Protein:v22.8g

Carbohydrate:v27.6g

Fiber:v10g

Cholesterol: 86mg

Iron: 4.3mg

Sodium: 927mg

Calcium: 11mg

David Bonom, Cooking Light, MARCH 2003

Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread

Per Slice: 165 Calories, 1g Fat, 2mg Cholesterol, 31g Carbs, 7g Protein, 3g Fiber, 347mg Sodium

Yields: 1- 2 pound loaf, serves 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole-wheat flour (use whole grain if available)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 1/4 cups buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and sprinkle with a little flour.

2. Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in buttermilk. Using one hand, stir in full circles (starting in the center of the bowl working toward the outside of the bowl) until all the flour is incorporated. The dough should be soft but not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, in a matter of seconds, turn it out onto a well-floured surface. Clean dough off your hand.

3. Pat and roll the dough gently with floury hands, just enough to tidy it up and give it a round shape. Flip over and flatten slightly to about 2 inches. Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet. Mark with a deep cross using a serrated knife and prick each of the four quadrants.

4. Bake the bread for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400° and continue to bake until the loaf is brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped, 30 to 35 minutes more. Transfer the loaf to a wire rack and let cool for about 30 minutes.

Source: EatingWell

Black and Tan Brownies

Historically, the phrase "black and tan" referred to the much-reviled auxiliary force of English soldiers sent to Ireland to suppress the Irish rebels after the 1916 Easter Rising. Eventually, a much-loved drink made with half Guinness Stout and half Harp Lager assumed the name, and now this two-toned brownie (with the addition of Guinness) shares it.

Yield: 32 servings

Ingredients

• Tan Brownies:
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• Cooking spray
• 
  Black Brownies:
• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup Guinness Stout
• 4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Place one rack in lower third of oven; place another rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. To prepare Tan Brownies, place 6 tablespoons butter and brown sugar in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces (about 1 cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 4.5 ounces flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring well. Add flour mixture and pecans to sugar mixture, beating just until combined. Spoon into a 13 x 9–inch baking pan coated with cooking spray, spreading evenly with a knife or rubber spatula. Bake at 350° in lower third of oven for 15 minutes.

3. To prepare Black Brownies, melt chocolate and 4 tablespoons butter in a large microwave-safe bowl on HIGH for 1 minute or until melted, stirring after every 20 seconds until smooth. Add granulated sugar, stirring until well combined. Add 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and Guinness, stirring with a whisk until well combined. Weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces (about 1 cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 4.5 ounces flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring well. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture, stirring to combine. Pour mixture evenly over Tan Brownies.

4. Bake on the center rack at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out almost clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack; cut into squares.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 162

Fat: 7g (sat 3.4g,mono 2.4g,poly 0.7g)

Protein: 2.2g

Carbohydrate: 23.7g

Fiber: 0.8g

Cholesterol: 36mg

Iron: 1.2mg

Sodium: 87mg

Calcium: 29mg

Margaret M. Johnson, Cooking Light, MARCH 2010

Attn Parents: Beware of Baby Slings

The U.S. government is preparing a safety warning about baby slings -- popular infant carriers that parents can sling around their chests to carry their baby.

The concern is that infants can suffocate, and a few have. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum says her agency is getting ready to issue a general warning to the public.

Safety advocates have cautioned that some slings, where the baby falls into a curved or "C-like" position inside the sling, can lead to suffocation by restricting the baby's breathing.

Sources:

USA Today March 9, 2010

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

http://blogs.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2010/03/11/beware-of-baby-slings.aspx

Healthy Recipe: Bruschetta with Feta Cheese

Healthy Recipe: Bruschetta with Feta Cheese

6	slices French or Sour Dough bread

2	teaspoons (10 ml) olive oil

2	garlic cloves, peeled and halved

12	cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/4	cup (15 g) minced fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley

2	ounces (60 g) reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled

freshly ground pepper

1. Grill or toast bread on both sides until golden brown. Brush one side of each slice with some of the olive oil and rub with garlic.
2. In a small bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, basil, and feta cheese. Spoon 1/6 of the mixture onto the top of each bread slice. Add a grinding of fresh pepper and serve.

(makes 6 servings)

Per serving:	106 calories (28% calories from fat), 4 g protein, 3 g total fat (1.1 g saturated fat), 15 g carbohydrate, 1 g dietary fiber, 3 mg cholesterol, 280 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges:	1 carbohydrate (bread/starch), 1/2 fat

Companies You Can Trust to Use BPA-Free Cans

BPA: How bad is it, really?

Companies You Can Trust to Use BPA-Free Cans

Eden

Eden switched to BPA free liners in April 1999 -- all of its bean and grain combos and chilis are also in cans with BPA free liners. However, due to their acidic nature, Eden's tomatoes (and all of the industry's tomato products) are still in cans with BPA liners.

Vital Choice, Oregon's Choice, Wild Planet, Eco Fish

Vital Choice cans MSC-certified salmon as well as albacore tuna, sardines and mackerel with BPA free liners. Oregon's Choice canned last season's catch of lightly salted MSC certified Albacore (6 oz.) in BPA free cans, and the company says it will over the course of the next two years move all of its canned fish to BPA free. Eco Fish has canned albacore tuna packaged in a BPA free can, and the company is planning to make the switch for its canned salmon once it finds a suitable can source. Wild Planet has implemented BPA free packaging for both its 5 oz. skipjack tuna and its 5 oz. Albacore tuna products.

Trader Joe's

Canned corn, canned beans, canned fish, canned poultry, and canned beef at Trader Joe's are all packaged in BPA free cans. However, any other products that contain those items -- for example, soups or chilis -- are not in BPA free cans.

Native Forest and Native Factor

Edward & Sons has at least a dozen different products in BPA free cans. As long as you purchase Native Forest or Native Factor brands, the canned goods are BPA free.

Sources:

Treehugger March 2, 2010

http://blogs.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2010/03/04/companies-you-can-trust-to-use-bpafree-cans.aspx

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Surviving Girl Scout Cookie Season

Can you enjoy Girl Scout cookies without blowing your diet?

It comes but once a year, that time when a few bucks will buy you a stroll down memory lane. As we speak, girls dressed in green are knocking on doors across America, selling boxes filled with everyone's favorite treat -- Girl Scout cookies.

Which ones do you look forward to? It's a very subjective thing. While my husband is a Thin Mint kind of guy, my youngest daughter is a Tagalong fan and my oldest daughter enjoys the shortbread cookies. I used to be all about the All Abouts, but, sadly, they’ve entered early retirement as do many of the more inventive cookies.

And yes, this dietitian and her family do indulge in these not-so-healthy treats. I usually buy a box of everyone’s favorite cookie, we enjoy them, and after about a week or two, we move on. Girl Scout cookies are one of those unique food traditions that mark a certain time of year. If you are someone who really looks forward to these cookies and would register it as a loss if you didn’t partake, I'd say you should treat yourself -- but with moderation in mind.

What’s New in Girl Scout Cookies?

Two different bakers make Girl Scout cookies, and each makes their own particular rendition of the classics -- Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Samoas, Shortbreads. (These five are the top-selling types of cookies, with Thin Mints at No. 1.)

Depending on which baker supplies your particular cookie connection, the names and nutrition information can vary. I might say "Tagalongs" and you say "Peanut Butter Patties;" or you say "Shortbread" and I say "Trefoils." Samoas are similar to Caramel deLites and "Peanut Butter Sandwiches" are equivalent to "Do-si-dos."

Each year, the two chosen bakers try out at least one new cookie option. If they don’t sell well, they usually aren't back the next year. The latest cookie to be crossed off the active list is the Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip cookies.

"It’s a constant process," says Michelle Tompkins, a spokeswoman for Girl Scouts USA. "But there’s always a demand for healthier cookies."

This year, the new cookie on the block is the Thank U Berry Munch cookies. I'd say this one stands a chance of staying on the cookie list for next year, considering that it features a popular combination of dried cranberries and white-fudge chips. Back from last year are the Reduced Fat Daisy Go Rounds, which come in portion-controlled 100-calorie pouches.

Rating the Girl Scout Cookies

Although Girl Scout cookies can't exactly be considered health food (they are cookies, after all), which are the most healthy -- or perhaps I should say the least unhealthy?

Below is my ranking, from most figure-friendly to least, of popular Girl Scout Cookie options. The ones with asterisks beside their names were superlative in some category (like lowest in fat or highest in sugar) among those ranked.

1. *Reduced Fat Daisy Go Rounds (1 100-calorie pack; 24 grams).

*Lowest in fat; Lowest in saturated fat; Lowest in calories

Fat grams: 2

Saturated fat grams: 1

Calories:100

Sugar grams: 8

Total carbohydrate grams:19

Fiber grams: less than 1

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, sugar, palm oil, and high fructose corn syrup

2. *Shortbread (4 cookies; 26 grams)

*Lowest in sugar; second-lowest in fat

Fat grams: 4.5

Saturated fat grams: 2

Calories: 120

Sugar grams: 4

Total carbohydrate grams: 19

Fiber grams: less than 1

First 3 ingredients: enriched flour, sugar, and palm oil; cookies contain less that 2% of the remaining ingredients

3. Do-si-dos (2 cookies; 24 grams)

Fat grams: 5

Saturated fat grams: 1.5

Calories: 110

Sugar grams: 7

Total carbohydrate grams: 16

Fiber grams: less than 1

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, sugar, whole grain oats, soybean and palm oils

4. Thank U Berry Munch (2 cookies; 25 grams)

Fat grams: 5

Saturated fat grams: 2

Calories: 120

Sugar grams: 7

Total carbohydrate grams: 18

Fiber grams: less than 1

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, sugar, vegetable oil (soybean, palm, and palm kernel oil), sweetened dried cranberries

5. *Peanut Butter Sandwich (3 cookies, 35 grams)

* Tied with Lemon Chalet for highest in carbohydrate grams

Fat grams: 6

Saturated fat grams: 2.5

Calories: 160

Sugar grams: 8

Total carbohydrate grams: 26

Fiber grams: less than 1

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, sugar, peanuts, oats

6. Thanks-A-Lot (2 cookies, 31 grams)

Fat grams: 6

Saturated fat grams: 3.5

Calories:150

Sugar grams: 9

Total carbohydrate grams: 22

Fiber grams: less than 1

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, sugar, vegetable shortening; high fructose corn syrup

7. Trefoils (5 cookies, 33 grams)

Fat grams = 8

Saturated fat grams = 2.5

Calories = 160

Sugar grams = 7

Total carbohydrate grams = 22

Fiber grams = less than 1

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, soybean and palm oils, sugar, brown sugar

8. *Lemon Chalet Cremes (2 cookies; 32 grams)

* Highest in calories; Tied for highest in sugar with Caramel deLites; Tied with Peanut Butter Sandwiches for highest in carbohydrates

Fat grams: 7

Saturated fat grams: 2.5

Calories: 170

Sugar grams: 13

Total carbohydrate grams: 26

Fiber grams: <1>

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, sugar, soybean and palm oils, dextrose

9. Lemonades (2 cookies, 31 grams)

Fat grams: 7

Saturated fat grams: 4

Calories: 150

Sugar grams: 9

Total carbohydrate grams: 22

Fiber grams: 0

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, sugar, vegetable shortening, cornstarch

10. Thin Mints from Little Brownie Bakers (4 cookies, 32 grams)

Fat grams: 8

Saturated fat grams: 5

Calories: 160

Sugar grams: 10

Total carbohydrate grams: 22

Fiber grams: less than 1 gram

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, sugar, vegetable oil (partially hydrogenated palm kernel and/or cottonseed oil, palm oil), cocoa

11. *Caramel deLites (2 cookies, 28 grams)

*Highest in sugar; Tied with Thin Mints by ABC and Samoas for the highest in saturated fat

Fat grams: 7

Saturated fat grams: 6

Calories: 140

Sugar grams: 13

Total carbohydrate grams: 19

Fiber grams: 1

First 4 ingredients: sugar, enriched flour, corn syrup, vegetable shortening

12. Peanut Butter Patties (2 cookies, 28 grams)

Fat grams = 8

Saturated fat grams = 5

Calories = 150

Sugar grams = 10

Total carbohydrate grams = 17

Fiber grams = less than 1

First 4 ingredients: sugar, enriched flour, peanuts, vegetable shortening

13. *Tagalongs (2 cookies, 25 grams)

* Highest in fat: Lowest in carbohydrate grams

Fat grams = 9

Saturated fat grams = 5

Calories = 140

Sugar grams = 8

Total carbohydrate grams = 13

Fiber grams = <>

First 4 ingredients: peanuts, sugar, vegetable oil (partially hydrogenated palm, palm kernel, and/or cottonseed oil, soybean and palm oil, hydrogenated palm, soybean and cottonseed oil), enriched flour

14. Dulce de Leche (4 cookies, 30 grams)

Fat grams = 8 grams

Saturated fat grams = 3.5

Calories = 160

Sugar grams = 9

Total carbohydrate grams = 19

Fiber grams = less than 1

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, soybean and palm oil, dulce de leche flavored drops (sugar, palm kernel and palm oil, etc.), sugar

15. * Samoas (2 cookies, 29 grams)

* Tied with Thin Mints (ABC) and Caramel deLites for highest in saturated fat

Fat grams: 8

Saturated fat grams: 6

Calories: 150

Sugar grams: 11

Total carbohydrate grams: 19

Fiber grams: less than 1

First 4 ingredients: sugar, vegetable oil (soybean and palm oil, partially hydrogenated palm kernel and//or cottonseed oil), enriched flour, corn syrup

16. *Thin Mints from ABC Bakers (4 cookies, 32 grams)

*Tied with Caramel deLites and Samoas for highest in saturated fat

Fat grams = 8

Saturated fat grams = 6

Calories = 160

Sugar grams = 10

Total carbohydrate grams = 21

Fiber grams = less than 1

First 4 ingredients: enriched flour, sugar, vegetable shortening, cocoa

What About Trans Fats in Girl Scout Cookies?

Since 2007, all varieties of Girl Scout cookies have contained "zero trans fat per serving," Tompkins says. But you might notice in the ingredients lists that some of the cookies contain partially hydrogenated oils, which are how trans fats are made.

So how can they claim to have zero trans fats? These cookies meet or exceed the Food and Drug Administration's guidelines for the "zero trans fat" designation because they contain less than 0.5 grams trans fat per serving.

So if you eat two servings of cookies (or more), particularly those that list partially hydrogenated oils among their first four ingredients, you might take in close to a gram of trans fat. This is less likely to happen if you stick to the cookies that don’t have "partially hydrogenated oil" listed among their ingredients.

How Not to Eat the Whole Sleeve

It's fine to talk about moderation, but what if you're one of those people for whom the "suggested serving size" is never enough when it comes to Girl Scout cookies?

Believe it or not, two or three cookies will go a long way if you really savor every bite.

Megrette Fletcher, RD, CDE, MEd, executive director of The Center for Mindful Eating and co-author of Discover Mindful Eating, says one way to heighten your mindfulness while eating fattening treats is by changing your sensory environment. For example, to "tune in" when eating a serving of cookies, change up their temperature (by eating them straight from the refrigerator or freezer) or texture (eat a crisp cookie, and then a soft cookie).

"We often tune out when we eat the same things over and over again," Hammond says.

Another trick is to "reset" your palate in between bites by sipping a cup of tea or mineral water. This way, your taste buds will really notice each bite of cookie.

And make sure you're not overly hungry when you open that sleeve of those magical mint cookies. You don’t want to put yourself in a situation that makes it difficult for you to eat a moderate amount, Fletcher says.

(Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, is the "Recipe Doctor" for WebMD and the author of numerous books on nutrition and health. Her opinions and conclusions are her own.)

Source:

By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
WebMD Expert Column

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.