HEALTHY NEWS ARTICLES December

An article by Marcia Zimmerman, CN, from NOW Foods.

Fighting Obesity - What Do I Put in My Child's Lunch?

We begin the 21st century with a startling setback in life expectancy for our youth. Some experts even fear that today's kids might not live as long as their parents.That's despite the recent advances in medicine that have been credited with extending life span.

The Childhood Obesity Epidemic

The obesity epidemic is occurring in boys & girls in all 50 states. It's happening in younger children as well as adolescents, across all socioeconomic strata, and among all ethnic groups. At a time when we have learned that excess weight has significant and troublesome health consequences, we see our children gaining weight to a dangerous degree and at an alarming rate. According to a 2004 report from the Centers for Disease Control, the number of overweight 6 to 11 year olds more than doubled in the past 20 years-going from 7 percent in 1980, to 18.8 percent in 2004. The rate among adolescents between 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.1%.

An estimated 61% of overweight young people have at least one additional risk factor associated with becoming over weight. These include heart disease, high cholesterol or high blood pressure-factors that have been traditionally associated with much older adults. In addition, children who are over weight are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. Overweight young people are more likely than their normal weight peers to become overweight or obese adults, adding additional risk factors such as stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

The consensus among pediatricians, school administrators, parents, and government officials is that healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming overweight and developing related diseases. Associated problems with a growing overweight population are reduced productivity, increased disability, and a greater number of overweight individuals requiring nursing home care as they move into retirement. Clearly the centerpiece of reducing childhood obesity is to reduce its health related and economic costs.

Nutrition Solutions

Clearly, we must tackle this problem head-on in order to save our youth. It is the beginning as a grass roots movement in the classroom and will involve nutritionists, enlightened teachers, pediatricians, natural food retailers, manufacturers and suppliers of healthy foods. Beginning in the opening weeks of school 2006-2007, a pilot program to teach 6th graders how to eat for better health will be instituted in Chico, California. As the program is perfected, it will be offered nationwide. This is how the plan unfolds....

Show Kids How:

*Healthy snacks can be tasty and satisfying by letting them sample them
*Adding color and variety to meals increases taste and interest
*Real fruit juice and fruit are better than sodas
*Use of smaller plates, bowls and cups will help control serving sizes
*To become ambassadors of better nutrition in their families

DIANE & MISTI'S SECRET RECIPES

*DIANE'S SPICED NUTS --
1/3 cup brown sugar (or sucanat, sold at THE HEALTHY WAY)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground coriander
(or coriander seed)
1/4 tsp ground star anise
(or anise seed)
1 cup walnut or pecan halves (sold at THE HEALTHY WAY)
1 small egg white (sold at THE HEALTHY WAY)

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Place nuts on baking sheet - toast 3-5 minutes.
Combine sugar, cinnamon, coriander, star anise & egg white.

Place nuts directly from the oven into a large skillet with sugar & egg mixture. Use wooden spoon and mix as well as possible with nuts until well coated. Cool on baking sheet - Then enjoy!!!!

*MIXED SALAD WITH FRUIT AND SPICED NUTS

Use any baby salad mix - red leaf, mesclun, Boston lettuce
Diane's Spiced Walnuts
Crumbled feta goat cheese (sold at THE HEALTHY WAY)
or bleu cheese
Sliced organic strawberries, pears, or apple
Dried organic tart cranberries (sold at THE HEALTHY WAY)

Use any balsamic dressing - you may want to add a little honey or maple syrup to sweeten. Once you eat this salad - you won't want to eat any other salad.


*MISTI'S FABULOUS COOKIES
*Note: all ingredients in this recipe can be purchased at THE HEALTHY WAY.

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. coconut oil
1/2 c. nut butter (almond, peanut)
2 c. Sucanat
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 c. whole wheat flour
(I actually use spelt, but the results are the same)
1/2 c. coconut flour
1/2 c. flax meal
1 c. shredded coconut
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 c. dark chocolate chips

#1- Cream the butters and oil with the Sucanat.
#2- Add vanilla and eggs.
#3- Mix the dry ingredients together. Blend with the creamed mixture.
#4- Add coconut, walnuts, and chocolate chips.
#5- Shape dough into balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
#6- Bake at 350 F for 12 minutes.

* COMMENT: These cookies are fabulous not only for their taste, but they are loaded with healthy fats, fiber, and protein
as well! Please remember that using organic ingredients is always best for you, your children, and the environment.


*HOT LIPS HABANERO SPREAD

8 oz goat cheese
16 oz cream cheese
Mix in food processor, then add 2 tablespoons or more (to taste) of Habanero mix. Mixture will be soft.
Add some chopped almonds.
Place in plastic wrap, and shape into a roll, or put in a container. Sprinkle with chopped smoked almonds, and sprinkle with paprika.
Refrigerate - will stay good for 2 weeks.
This can be changed to suit your taste by adding more or less goat cheese and cream cheese.
WARNING - This dip is habit forming.

*Hot lips Habanero mix, cream cheese and almonds can be found at THE HEALTHY WAY.


*CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE PIE IN HAZELNUT CRUST
*Note: All ingredients in this recipe can be found at The Healthy Way.

Crust
2 1/4 cups finely ground hazelnuts
3 T. of sucanat
6 T. melted butter

Pie Filling
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sucanat
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
8 oz. cranberry spread

FOR CRUST:
Preheat oven to 400*F. In 9-inch pie pan, combine all ingredients. Press on bottom and up side of pie pan. Bake 20 min. Cool completely.

FOR PIE FILLING:
In medium size bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Carefully fold in whipped cream so as not to reduce volume. Pour into baked pie crust. Spoon cranberry spread over filling. Chill for 2 hours.


*YOGURT MUFFINS

Beat until light:
3 eggs
Beat in:
1/4 c. date sugar
3 T. butter
3 c. yogurt
Stir in:
4 1/2 c. spelt flour
1 T. bkg. powder
1 1/2 tsp. bkg. soda
3/4 tsp. salt

For large muffins use 1 T. of jam. For small muffins use 1 tsp. of jam. Put jam in center before baking. Bake for 400*F for 15-25 min.

*DATE NUT BALLS

Ingredients:
1 stick butter
1/2 cup sucanat
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 c. chopped dates
2 1/4 c. rolled oats

Instructions:
Bring to boil first 6 ingredients, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Add rolled oats, 1 cup at a time. Shape into balls and roll in coconut.

*Thanks to our customer Vivianne M. for this delicious, healthful Recipe!

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DISCLAIMER

Products sold through this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any statements about specific products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided by this site is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or health care professional. It is your duty to consult with your physician before starting any supplemental program, especially if you have or suspect that you might have a health problem.