Eczema, tantrums, and cavities, Oh My!

Halloween is just 10 days away! If you're like me, the thought of all that candy going into those trick or treat bags, then into our kids hands, and ultimately their mouths is a bit "scary"!

Several studies have found that milk (lactose is a sugar) and other beverages are the two main sources of sugar in children, with candy being the third highest contributor. Nancy Appleton, PhD, wrote a light-hearted book entitled Lick The Sugar Habit. In it, she reports on the medical research concerning the effects of refined sugar on the body. Here are those specifically related to children:

• Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.
• Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline levels in children.
• Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
• Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
• Sugar can adversely affect school children's grades and cause learning disorders.
• Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• In juvenile rehabilitation camps, when children were put on a low sugar diet, there was a 44% drop in antisocial behavior.

Oh, and don't forget about the cavities.

Now, don't think I am being a party-pooper. I love a party just as much as anyone, maybe even more, but there are alternatives. How about considering some of these treats this year as an alternative to passing out candy:

• Temporary tattoos
• Silly Bandz
• Mini Play Dough packs
• Stickers
• Pencils
• Fancy erasers
• Pencil toppers
• Crayons
• Coins (pennies, nickels, dimes)
• Small novelty toys
• Bouncy balls
• “Slime”
• Miniature magnifying glasses
• Glow Necklaces or bracelets
• Glow-sticks
• Spider rings
• Plastic vampire teeth
• Tiny decks of cards
• Bubbles
• Hot Chocolate packs
• Microwave Popcorn

I was in the Dollar Tree today and they have all kinds of great non-candy treats. Another of my personal favorites is the Free Jr. Frosty coupons available from Wendy's. You can get a book of 10 coupons for $1.  Yes, I know the Frosty has sugar, BUT the Jr. size is so small the sugar equivalent is to about 2 of the Fun Size Snickers bars. AND 90% of all treat book sales to the Foundation. And in Wendy’s Wonderful Kids markets, all of the proceeds are used specifically to fund grants to support Wendy’s Wonderful Kids adoption recruiters. Since the fundraiser began in 1992, it has generated millions of dollars for the Foundation, and all donations go to help out the communities in which the money was originally raised.

Another cool thing you can check out to limit kids candy consumption is the Halloween Candy Buy Back.  This is a program generally sponsored by dentists where they "buy" back kids' Halloween candy and send it to soldiers stationed overseas. Some dentists pay up to $1 per pound and others pay with goody bags that include prizes and coupons.

Eat to be Stress-Free

Lake Desoto Farmers' Market, Lake City, FL

Stress can take a toll on your body, your mind and your life. Insomnia, hypertension, headaches, fatigue, and stomach pains are clues that you are under too much stress. Chronic stress can lead to more serious mental disorders such as anxiety and depression as well as physical illness.

A 2010 study by the American Psychological Association found that twenty-nine percent of obese adults reported they experience a great deal of stress. Obese adults are highly likely to report poor eating habits as a result of their stress.

Healthy eating can help combat stress.  A healthy diet should include lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish and poultry, and low-glycemic (or complex) carbohydrates.  When eating to combat stress, stay away from trans fats, typically found in cakes, margarine and fried foods, salts and added sugars, like those found in sodas and breakfast cereals just to mention a few. 

Low-glycemic carbohydrates are great for combating stress because they release serotonin, a “feel good” chemical in the brain. These are found in leafy, green vegetables as well as whole grain foods. Vitamin C, found in broccoli, green bell pepper, strawberries, kiwis and oranges, also plays a role in combating stress, giving your immune system a boot and helping relieve fatigue.  

When making a decision to incorporate healthier eating habits, consider choosing fresh foods first (then frozen or canned).  Local farmers’ markets or locally owned super markets and produce stands tend to have the freshest in-season items, as well as fresh meats.  There is also a considerable cost savings available when shopping locally.

Local favorites:  Norman’s Roadside Produce in Starke, FL, KCs Produce in Lake City, FL, Lake Desoto Farmers’ Market in Lake City, FL

Nearby favorites:  Ward’s Supermarket, Union Street Farmers’ Market

 

Got Stress?

Thanksgiving menus, Christmas lists, shopping, parties, plays, dinners, your in-laws.... AAUGH!!

These are just a few things that could be stressing you out as the holidays draw nearer. This stress combined with all of the 'comfort' foods that will be available over the next month can easily lead to that seven pounds we talked about last week.

Take a look at this Q&A from Edward T. Creagan, M.D. and the Mayo Clinic.

Q: How do you control stress-induced weight gain?

A: When you're under stress, you may find it harder to keep up healthy-eating habits. Also, during particularly stressful times, you may eat in an attempt to fulfill emotional needs, which is sometimes called stress eating. And you may be especially likely to eat high-calorie foods during times of stress, even when you're not hungry.

To combat weight problems during stress and reduce the risk of obesity, you need to get a handle on your stress. When you feel less stressed and more in control of your life, you may find it easier to stick to healthy-eating and exercise habits. Try these stress management techniques to combat stress-related weight gain:

1. Recognize the warning signs of stress, such as anxiety, irritability and muscle tension.
2. Before eating, ask yourself why you're eating — are you truly hungry or do you feel stressed or anxious?
3. If you're tempted to eat when you're not hungry, find a distraction.
4. Don't skip meals, especially breakfast.
5. Identify comfort foods and keep them out of your house or office.
6. Keep a record of your behavior and eating habits so that you can look for patterns and connections — and then overcome them.
7. Learn problem-solving skills so that you can anticipate challenges and cope with setbacks.
8. Practice relaxation skills, such as yoga, massage or meditation.
9. Engage in regular physical activity or exercise.
10. Get adequate sleep.
11. Get encouragement from supportive friends and family.

What are your stressors during the holidays and how do you overcome them?

In my own little world...

...it hardly ever rains!

But lately, it seems everyday is a tropical depression! If you've had a conversation with me in the last three weeks, I'm pretty certain I have mentioned Satan's attack on my life. But this is not about the devil. This is about me! Well not exactly, but I wish it was...

You see, the past three weeks I've just wanted to give up. Give up on my job, my church, my youth group, my business, some of my friends, most of my family and just stop, stop everything that I've been doing. Whoa! Did I just say that out loud? Well, the scary thing is, my husband said the same thing yesterday morning. Now if you know either of us, you are probably already thinking, "give up? you don't have that in you". Well the truth is, that's the truth! We aren't built that way and neither are you!

After this Sunday morning conversation with my husband about "giving up", we plugged in a Joyce Meyer CD series called "I am Determined!" on the way to church. The next four days continued to be a challenge. Then the craziest thing happened. Here's the short version:

Coming out of a committee meeting at church, my pastor and I noticed someone walking down the road. It was around 8:45 pm, so it was dark. We hung around in the parking lot chatting and suddenly heard a very loud banging sound. "BANG! BANG!" The person we saw walking was trying to break out my car window with the two of us standing 100 feet away! I was livid! For the next hour, we dealt with K-9 officers, police reports, the whole shebang! Before it was over, we were laughing about it, but I still felt violated.

The weird thing was that the next day, I woke up relieved. The weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. I can't explain it, but its as if that one final attack from Satan was the deciding factor for me. You see he banged and banged on my window and it never broke. The door is bent and the window is scratched but the "barrier" never broke!

For weeks Satan banged and banged on my life, I was bent and scratched, but I never gave up!

Joyce Meyer said, "People who are called to greatness meet great challenges. He (God) never promised us it would be easy. In fact, He guarantees us adversities in His Word. He also promises to be with us through difficulties, to fight on our behalf, to strengthen us to overcome any obstacle we confront, and to give us the ability to overcome them under one condition— that we never give up."

In my own little world, it hardly ever rains,
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population: me

Truth is, it's not about ME!!

Upcoming Event - Friday, September 3rd in Starke, FL

Get Renewed

Whole Body Wellness Info Session

Friday, September 3rd @ 7:00 pm

Do you suffer from:

Fatigue?

Gas & bloating?

Skin problems?

Allergy symptoms?

Constipation?

Food cravings?

A struggle with weight loss?

Irritability & mood swings?

Headaches, body aches?

IT’S TIME FOR BODY RENEWAL

Simple program · Eat regular food · No dieting or fasting required

Call for directions.

RSVP to Amy at (386) 623-0476.

Attitude is a decision...

...rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; - Romans 12:12 (NKJV)

We've all heard it before, "Attitude is everything"; "Your attitude determines your altitude".

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word "attitude" means "an internal position or feeling with regard to something else." Other words often used as synonyms are: "disposition, feeling, mood, opinion, sentiment, temper, tone, perspective, frame of mind, outlook, view, or morale."

I found this article from Dr. Ellen Duke in my Inbox recently:

Choose Your Attitude

Although we don't yet fully understand the mind/body connection, we do know that a positive attitude can:

• Help improve mood, self-esteem and sense of well-being

• Decrease depression, anxiety and hostility

• Lessen pain and other bodily symptoms

• Speed recovery

• Enhance immune function

• Extend longevity

We also know that to a great extent, our attitude is determined by how we decide to think about events. This "self-talk," whether positive or negative, is so powerful that it determines not just our emotions, but the condition of our physical and mental well-being as well.

Three simple action steps to help optimize your emotional health:

1. Acknowledge that you're in control. The great thing about your attitude is that it's yours. You cannot control what others say or do, but you can control how you react to it. Simply put, no one can put you in a bad mood unless you give them permission!

2. Be thankful. Put things in perspective. You are alive, something that billions of those before us cannot say. You have food, shelter and safety. Something that millions alive today do not enjoy. Appreciate your countless blessings!

3. Don't worry about the small stuff. Remember what's important, and ignore the little things. Focus on the larger picture and you'll find less frustration in your daily interactions with others. The things that matter most are your health and happiness and your family's health and happiness.

This prompted me to wonder what the Bible says about attitude, as I believe the Bible is the best and most trustworthy "self-help" book available to us all! I think Dr. Dale A. Robbins sums it up best in his article, "Check Your Attitude":

How To Develop Good Attitudes

1. Identify and Repent of Bad Attitudes

Acts 8:22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you."

2. Submit Your Attitudes to God

Bring your attitudes into obedience to God’s Word. Apply discipline to your thought life — submit your thoughts to those of Christ’s. A good attitude is a matter of faith, disregarding your feelings, with a determination to embrace God’s outlook and disposition.

2 Corinthians 10:5 "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."

3. Equip And Feed Your Attitudes

Dwell on the things that God’s word tells us to — those good and virtuous things. If you dwell on the negative, your attitude will reflect the same.

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things."

Now, one of the best attitude quotes I've read recently, "When life gives you lemons, throw them back and demand chocolate!" Now, that's attitude!

Go out and make it great day, because, yes, the day is what you make it! may God bless you all!