Healthy Bites for Real People

Pssst--Better Brownie Bite-lettes taste even chocolatier!

2010-08-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Our resident funny man Cole Young has a secret. He's been busy in the R&D department tinkering with our Better Brownie Bite-lette recipe and guess what? He found a way to make our Better Brownie cookies even MORE delicious and chocolaty tasting! Cole discovered that eliminating the lemon oil really makes the flavor pop. So tempting, my family already demolished an entire tub of these rich chocolate bites. Hey, don't take my word for it. Try some Better Brownie Bite-lettes yourself!

Xtreme Country Girl

Homemade ice cream for those hot summer days

2010-08-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

Ice cream is a great indulgence for those hot, humid summer days. A nice cone of French Vanilla or a bowl of Rocky Road can be a tasty way to cool off in the sizzling heat. So, when I saw the section on making homemade ice cream in The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook I perked up. "Hey, this looks pretty easy," I thought, "and I have this unused ice cream maker that's been gathering dust in the garage for the last 6 years."

With anticipation I selected two recipes to try: Lemon Drop Surprise and Vanilla ice cream. That way, there would be something for everyone in the family.

My ice cream making venture got off to a slow start as I searched for all the parts to the machine and thoroughly washed and dried them in hot, soapy water. With thoughts of creamy lemon deliciousness dancing through my head I carefully assembled and mixed the half-and-half, honey, evaporated cane juice, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract and sea salt in the main chamber. I had my ice and salt ready to go when I discovered I was missing one key part: the lid. Irritated, I rushed off to the garage and frantically sifted through several boxes of stuff, pushing aside the old cappuccino maker, Christmas greenware from my mother-in-law, and other miscellaneous items before it dawned on me the lid was probably tucked in some boxes I had given away to the neighborhood kids some months back.

Undaunted, I improvised using an old plastic coffee can lid, duct tape (yes! duct tape) and a drill, and managed to get the thing to work. Red Green would have been proud of me. Sorry to say I didn't take any pictures, but the ice cream came out great despite all the obstacles. The lemony tang was perfect, and I liked the bits of zest in the ice cream. My hubby and the oldest son also gobbled it down as well.

Emboldened by my success, I tried out the Vanilla Ice Cream. A soft ice cream recipe, it's dairy free and calls for coconut milk instead of half-and-half. It also uses vanilla, salt, frozen banana and honey OR maple syrup for the sweetening. I opted to use honey instead of maple syrup. By this time I had figured out how to get the ice cream maker to work without using the drill and the process went a lot smoother. In no time at all we were enjoying delicious soft serve vanilla ice cream. Everyone loved it, but the vanilla ice cream does have a slight banana taste. You could cut down on the amount of banana and use more honey or maple syrup, but the ice cream won't be as creamy according to Dr. Laura. I, for one, like the creamy texture. My hubby who is a huge french vanilla ice cream fan still scarfed it down and pronounced it tasty. All the kids loved it as well. I guess this means I'll have to go out and get a new ice cream maker so I can start making more frozen treats.

Xtreme Country Girl

Lemon Kale Chips- a Clever Way to Get Your Kids to Eat Vegetables

2010-07-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

Photo of Kale from Wikipedia

My 11 year old boy is an extremely picky eater. Apples and carrots are the only fruits and vegetables I can get him to eat. Leafy greens? Forget it. He says he "would rather die" than eat a salad. Imagine my surprise when I decided to make the Lemon Kale Chips from The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook and he not only ATE them, but gave them five stars! I was blown away-- I thought aliens had kidnapped my child and replaced him with an android look-alike. But then I realized, of course he likes them. These salty, crispy chips taste remarkably like potato chips. Easy to make, these are a healthier alternative to traditional snacks. The rest of the family loved them as well and snapped them up hot out of the oven.

Ingredients consist of kale leaves (stripped of the spine), lemon juice, olive oil and unprocessed sea salt all combined to make a wholesome family snack. It only takes a few minutes to wash & prepare the kale and about 15 min. to bake.

Lemon Kale Chips

For this and other healthy recipes, check out The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook. What techniques do you use to get your picky eaters to eat fruits and vegetables?

Happy snacking!

--Xtreme Country Girl

Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary Race

2010-06-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Laura's Wholesome Junk Food was a proud sponsor of the 7th annual Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary's "Run for the Animals!" race on Sunday, May 23rd, at Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton, Maryland. This fundraiser helps support the sanctuary's life saving work. Although it was raining, the 5K run and 1 mile fun walk still turned out to be a great event. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the cookies were a big hit.

Located in Poolesville, Maryland, the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary is a 400 acre non-profit refuge for farm animals and wildlife. Thanks to all who have devoted themselves to this great cause!

Xtreme Country Girl

Golden Pineapple-Carrot Muffins

2010-06-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

Here's another selection from The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook--Golden Pineapple-Carrot Muffins. I was looking for something slightly sweet to eat for breakfast and these hit the spot. Definitely healthier than many regular muffins or doughnuts. I found the mashed banana, unsweetened pineapple and shredded carrot combined nicely to make a moist muffin. The only change I would make when baking them next time is to add just a bit more natural sweetener. These muffins tasted delicious hot out of the oven with melted butter. Mmm. Here's a picture before the family devoured them all:

Golden Pineapple-Carrot Muffins, and no, they don't come out

quite this orangy-looking. That's what I get for making my son take a picture

with his iphone. Recipe from The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook

If you'd like to try your hand at baking some of these scrumptious goodies, this recipe can be found at the Laura's Wholesome Junk Food website here: Cookbook. Just scroll down to the very bottom of the page and you'll see it. We'd like to hear from you if you've tried any of the recipes from the cookbook. How did they turn out? Any changes you would make? Let us know what you think!

Xtreme Country Girl

Whoopie Pies and Grandma's Gingerbread Cake from the Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook

2010-05-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

THE NEW COOKBOOK'S HERE! THE NEW COOKBOOK'S HERE! I recently received my long awaited Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook from Amazon. And like Steve Martin in The Jerk when the phone book arrives, boy am I psyched! (My name is in the cookbook, too-- thank you Dr. Laura!) I've been trying out the recipes, so now it's time to blog about them.

There were SO many scrumptious, make-you-salivate-on-the-page recipes in there I didn't know where to start. First, I tried my hand at making Whoopie Pies using the One Pan Eggless Chocolate Cake recipe. For the filling I had trouble deciding, so I tried both the Natural Whipped Cream topping and the Fluffy Marshmallow Frosting. Both were good. The Natural Whipped Cream topping was creamy and not overly sweet like many popular store-bought brands. The Fluffy Marshmallow Frosting was fun to make, had a fluffy texture (as one would expect), and had a light maple taste. My oldest son decided he wanted the Whoopie Pies for his 22nd birthday party, and they were a hit. The grandparents liked the Fluffy Marshmallow Frosting best, and the younger folks seemed to prefer the Natural Whipped Cream as a filling. Here's a picture:

Whoopie Pie used as a birthday cake

Recipe from the Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook

Next I decided to try Grandma's Gingerbread Cake. I wanted something different and thought it might taste good with my morning coffee. It did. And, it's healthy enough to eat for breakfast!

I thought the batter tasted a bit like pumpkin, although there is no pumpkin in the ingredients. I was probably tasting the combination of cinnamon, ginger, and molasses. I also liked that both the gingerbread cake and the eggless chocolate cake recipes used spelt flour. I had not tried spelt flour before, and found I really liked the texture and taste of this whole grain. Here is a picture of the batter:

Batter for Grandma's Gingerbread Cake (double batch)

Recipe from the Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook

The recipe called for a 9 inch pan, but I couldn't find mine so I decided to make a double batch and freeze half. Of course, AFTER I whipped up the ingredients I remembered where the pan was. Oh well!

Grandma's Gingerbread Cake (double batch) in pan before cooking

Recipe from the Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook

I'm partial to whipped cream (you can tell by my waistline) so I used that for the topping on the gingerbread cake. Dr. Laura's grandma used to serve this cake with Fluffy Marshmallow Frosting. Here's a photo of the finished cake with the Natural Whipped Cream topping:

Grandma's Gingerbread Cake with Natural Whipped Cream topping

Recipes from the Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook

The cake came out moist, not too sweet, and slightly spicy, with a full, rich flavor. This would also have tasted good with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Here's a freebie from the Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook by Laura Trice:

Natural Whipped Cream

Quick, simple, and versatile, this natural whipped cream

is an excellent topping for pies, puddings, cakes, and fruit.

This works best using a chilled bowl and beaters.

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon powdered cane sugar (optional)

Pour the cream into a mixing bowl and using an electric mixer beat until stiff peaks form. Add the vanilla and beat to blend. If desired, add the sugar and beat again.

VARIATION: For some spice, add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

Xtreme Country Girl

Dirtiest Foods--Which vegetable moved from number 4 to number 1 for pesticide residue?

2010-05-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

Each year the Shopper's Guide to Pesticides publishes the Dirty Dozen list of the 12 fruits and vegetables that have the highest pesticide residue. Recently, the Natural Foods Merchandiser blog provided a sneak peek at the updated Dirty Dozen list for 2010 as follows:

   1. Celery
   2. Peaches
   3. Strawberries
   4. Apples
   5. Blueberries
   6. Nectarines
   7. Bell peppers
   8. Spinach
   9. Kale
10. Cherries
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes (imported)

Celery obtained the dubious distinction of moving from #4 last year up to #1 this year as being the worst for pesticide residue. Two newcomers to the list were blueberries and kale, while peas and lettuce dropped off.

Xtreme Country Girl

Dr. Laura meets Hungry Girl!

2010-05-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien (left) poses with Dr. Laura Trice

Dr. Laura met up with Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien at the Grove's Barnes & Noble in April. Hungry Girl was there for a book signing of her newest book, Hungry Girl 1-2-3: The Easiest, Most Delicious, Guilt-Free Recipes on the Planet. (Yum!)

And, in case you missed Monday's Hungry Girl newsletter, Laura's Wholesome Junk Food Bite-lettes were praised in the "small but worthy" category. Thanks Lisa! We love you!

X-treme Country Girl

World Health Day "1,000 cities - 1,000 lives"

2010-04-07T13:31:00.000-07:00

April 7 is World Health Day and marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO).The theme for 2010 is "Be part of a global movement to make cities healthier." Worldwide, cities are being encouraged to open up their streets for health activities. The official campaign, "1,000 cities - 1,000 lives" focuses on health and urbanization. "1,000 cities" centers on getting cities to open up public spaces for health related activities, such as clean-up campaigns. "1,000 lives" will showcase the stories of urban movers and shakers who have created a significant impact on the health of their cities.

Why this theme, you may ask? Why the emphasis on urban areas?
According to the WHO, almost all population growth within the next 30 years will be in urban areas.Urban areas face many health challenges, including:

violence and injury
noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)
tobacco use
unhealthy diets
physical inactivity
harmful use of alcohol
safe, clean water
environment

Further challenges identified by WHO:

"The urban poor suffer disproportionately from a wide range of diseases and other health problems, and include an increased risk for violence, chronic disease, and for some communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

The major drivers, or social determinants, of health in urban settings are beyond the health sector, including physical infrastructure, access to social and health services, local governance, and the distribution of income and educational opportunities."

What can be done to help combat these problems?
Urban planning is one way. Planning can help improve water, housing, and sanitation, thus reducing health risks.

Are you involved in improving health in your city?

--Xtreme Country Girl

Child obesity -- What Do You Think Is the Solution?

2010-04-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

(REPRINTED FROM DR. LAURA'S BLOG ON THE HUFFINGTON POST, Posted: April 6, 2010 10:56 AM )

There is a lot of press about the health of children and obesity. I have been poking around and researching different theories but I want to hear from you. What do you think is the cause?

Is it food additives and preservatives? Is it artificially hydrogenated fats and transfats? Is it the food kids get at school? Is it the food they are eating at home? Is it our portion sizes that are too big? Is it the amount of sugar and corn syrup in so many foods? Is it the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables in many diets? Is is too expensive to eat well? Is it school gym classes and sports being cancelled? Is it fewer and shorter recesses at school?

Is it parents not letting children play? Is it homework overload? It is both parents working so neighborhoods don't feel as safe anymore? Are there more crimes against children or do we just hear about it more? Is it kids not having safe places to play? Is it fear of lawsuits or broken arms? Is it Is it the lure of TV, cell phones, video games and computers that are more attractive and captivating to kids after school and on weekends than the outdoors, where many of us spent hours daily? Are kids running the show at home with food and activities due to parental guilt for working or being divorced. Is it the amount of meat and dairy consumed?

Is is lack of cooking skills? Did parents and grandparents stop teaching kids to cook or was it when home ec stopped in school? Are people too busy to eat well from scratch and take care of their bodies? Is it because kids are better imitators than listeners so the kids are not healthy because the adults in their lives are unhealthy?

These are just a few of the theories I have found. If yours is not listed, please tell me what it is and the solution. I think that as a country we can figure this out and have the majority of people who want to be fit and healthy achieve that.

What do YOU think are the top 1-2 causes and what steps do YOU suggest we look at doing to move more towards healthy and fit?

--Dr. Laura Trice,
Health and Communication Strategist, Author and CEO of Laura's Wholesome Junk Food

Supermarket Guru Weighs in on School Lunches

2010-03-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

Supermarket Guru's Lempert Report suggests that perhaps we should look to other countries for suggestions on improving U.S. school lunches. Not a bad idea. Here is an excerpt from the article:

"In some French elementary schools, the silverware, furniture and noise levels are equally as important as the meal itself. The French government asserts, and the Lempert Report seconds that lifelong eating habits are formed during early childhood and schools should ensure children make good food choices despite outside influences.

To give an example of the school lunch program in France, lunch menus are created and posted (two months in advance) outside schools; detailing the (often locally sourced) five course meals to be served every day. Brochures are passed out to every family, explaining the menu and offer complementary dinner suggestions for each unique lunch."

To read the article in its entirety, click here: School Lunch Makeover: Voila!

I personally go over the school lunch menu with my kids and talk about the food choices, limiting the amount of "junk food" lunches they are allowed to buy at school. I also talk about ingredients with my kids, how things are made, and how food/meals fit into the bigger picture of life.

What positive or negative things do you see in your school district regarding lunches? Do you avoid the situation by having your kids brown bag it?

Xtreme Country Girl

The Food Fight is on in New York City

2010-03-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

Prepackaged

vs.

Homemade

New York City Moms are fighting City Hall-- for the right to sell healthy junk food at their kids' schools. NYC mom Anisa Romero and her PTA posse, referred to as "Renegade Mommas," recently hosted a bake sale at City Hall to protest the once-a-month limit on the selling of homemade goods.

NPR's Robert Smith reports in "Parents Fight For The Right To Sell Treats At School," that NYC parents are fighting a ban that keeps the PTA from selling homemade goodies more than once a month at NYC schools. Student groups are not allowed to fund-raise selling home-baked treats at all. Recent budget cuts at NYC schools have left parents looking for ways to fund school programs. The PTA had hoped to make up for the lack of funds with bake sales of homemade treats during the school day.

Education officials claim they want only prepackaged, approved snacks that contain less than 200 calories and less than 35 percent fat due to health concerns. Yet, items such as Cool Ranch Doritos and whole-grain Pop-Tarts can be sold since they fit this criteria. Parents argue that their homemade snacks are healthy junk food--Romero offers vegan chocolate cake and PTA parent Leanne O'Conner makes her chocolate chip cookies with organic ingredients.

David Cantor, press secretary for the New York City Department of Education, said "We have no way of knowing what nutritional content food brought from home has," mentioning a picture of chocolate chip cookies containing bacon featured at a recent school bake sale. "We're trying to balance two things: the need to deal with the major child obesity epidemic ... with the need to allow parents and kids to fund-raise for their schools and extracurricular activities." According to Cantor, 40% of NYC kids are either obese or overweight.

As O'Conner points out, her cookies don't contain maltodextrin or partially hydrogenated oils. Some of the Department of Education-approved products-- for instance, Linden's chocolate chip cookie-- contains both maltodextrin and partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil. Parents argue that their treats, while still fattening, are healthier and more nutritious than the prepackaged fare.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How do you feel about school bake sales and what can and can't be sold? Would you support this ban on healthier treats? What are the schools doing in YOUR area? Let's hear from you!

Xtreme Country Girl

Mint Double Fudge Cookie Giveaway on Gluten Free Frenzy!

2010-03-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

Our good friends at Gluten Free Frenzy are giving away a FREE CASE of our NEWEST cookie flavor, Mint Double Fudge. That's SIX 7oz tubs of delicious Mint Double Fudge cookies. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a plateful of our rich, minty chocolate, chewy bite-lettes. Like Girl Scout Thin Mints but want something chewy? Try a Mint Double Fudge cookie (or two, or three...). To enter the contest (ends Sunday March 21st) click here to go to: Gluten Free Frenzy. Sorry, but this contest is open to U.S. citizens only.

May the luck o' the Irish be with ya!

Can't wait for the contest results? You can purchase Laura's Wholesome Junk Food Mint Double Fudge cookies at select Whole Foods in the northern and southern pacific regions. (Coming soon to other Whole Foods regions!)

Order Mint Double Fudge cookies online-- coming soon to our website: www.lauraswholesomejunkfood.com

Xtreme Country Girl

The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook

2010-03-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

Guess what's coming May 4th? Dr. Laura Trice's new cookbook, "The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook," with more than 100 healthy recipes for everyday snacking. Pre-order now on Amazon and receive an Amazon discount off the regular price!

“I want this book to be more than a cookbook for you. I want you to feel better about what you are eating and more confident. The best “Thank you” would be that you are enjoying food and feeling great about you and your family’s health.

Never mind the low fat, low carbohydrate trend, come on into Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food’s kitchen for your favorite desserts and snacks.”
In joy and good health, Dr. Laura

I'm Not Unhealthy-- You Are!

2010-02-19T16:04:00.000-08:00

When it comes to pointing the finger, Americans believe their health is just fine-- it's everybody else that's having a problem. According to a Feb. 16, 2010 HealthDay News article, a new survey found that only 17% of respondents believed they had a problem with their health, while more than 50% of respondents thought that other people's health "was going in the wrong direction."

The survey, commissioned by GE Healthcare, The Cleveland Clinic and Ochsner Health System, shows a large discrepancy between the way Americans view their own health and how they view the health of other Americans. The survey also revealed Americans and their doctors don't see eye to eye on their health. HealthDay News reports:

"According to the study, which surveyed more than 2,000 people across the United States late last year:

Nearly 30 percent of the respondents gave themselves an A for managing their personal health, while 92 percent of doctors gave them a C or lower.

Nearly a third of the study respondents gave themselves an A for eating healthy. Once again, 92 percent of doctors gave them a C or lower.

About a third gave themselves an A for getting regular exercise, while 91 percent of physicians gave them a C or lower."

Other findings from the survey:

people tend to compare themselves favorably with their overweight neighbors
many don't know their blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose level, body mass index and other basic health numbers
despite not knowing their health numbers, a majority said it was important to good health to keep those numbers in a good range
95% thought regular checkups with their doctor was important, yet 70% admitted to taking actions to avoid doctor visits

According to Eva To, a registered dietitian in White Plains, N.Y., "Americans are just not into prevention." "If they are not sick, they think they are healthy. But most of the killers are silent diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. We don't feel it, but they are killers all the same."

"People may say they eat salad for lunch, but what about the salad dressing?" said To. "They look at one element and not look at the whole picture."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How would YOU rate your health? Do you compare yourself against your neighbors, or do you know what the recommendations are for your height/weight?

Xtreme Country Girl

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T12:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

To all our loyal customers,

we want you to know

we love you all.

Thanks for being the best--

we couldn't do it without your
feedback and support!

Dr. Laura, Head Cookie Cutter

Karen, Xtreme Country Girl

Char, Demo Queen

Cole, Comedy King

Increasing serving sizes is NOT the answer to beating obesity

2010-02-12T13:45:00.000-08:00

Last week, the FDA announced that it wants manufacturers to post nutritional information on the front of packages and is considering changing the serving size to what Americans really eat. (Read the original NY Times article here.)

The theory seems to be if people see how many calories they are really getting, it will terrify them into eating less. (Gee, that never caused me to put down an unhealthy treat.) They also want to stop companies from highlighting only the good points of their products while ignoring the bad. While I believe these moves deserve encouragement, however, it only addresses a tiny part of the reasons for obesity.

We live in a culture that sends mixed signals regarding food. Healthy eating messages battle unhealthy eating messages constantly. In the space of 5 minutes worth of TV commercials, you can see a yogurt commercial celebrating healthy eating and weight loss followed by a commercial enticing you to indulge in a monstrous hamburger. What is this really saying? Where is the reality in all of this?

While strides have been made in the marketplace to sell healthy fruits, vegetables, and other foods at a reasonable price, the average grocery store is still laid out to encourage the purchase of unhealthy, high profit items. Recent market research shows that despite the economy, the sale of "prepared dinners" is on the rise.Many of these are laden with high fat, processed foods.

School lunches purport to follow FDA guidelines for providing nutritious meals, yet still fall short of the mark, often serving fattening cheeseburger and pizza entrees. For instance, at my children's school, ALL of the following entrees were served in a 5-day period: hot dog, BBQ chicken drumstick, pepperoni pizza, cheese quesadilla, and country breaded steak. While the sides were healthy (yogurt, vegetables and fruits), not a single healthy entree alternative was provided on any day. Also, physical education classes are often cut in many parts of the nation due to lack of funding.

As for adults, many businesses still do not have programs in place for employees to be proactive about their health and weight.

The list goes on and on. So, I ask you-- how can we expect to win the battle against obesity unless we engage the problem on ALL fronts? Let's hear your thoughts.

Xtreme Country Girl

Can You Name Six Meaningless Phrases on Food Labels?

2010-02-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

The NY Times recently ran an article on meaningless phrases on food labels. I've noticed marketers have become more inventive in an attempt to "cut through the clutter," especially during the recession.

Here are the 6 nonsense phrases that have been popping up on labels. See how many you've noticed:

1. Lightly sweetened or low sugar- The FDA has no regulations for these phrases. My question is, lightly sweetened compared to what? A doughnut?
2. A good source of fiber- Another tricky use of wording. Seems that some companies are trying to claim fiber from non-traditional sources, such as "chicory root or purified powders of polydextrose and other substances." These products have not been substantiated to have health benefits in the same way as whole grains, bean, vegetables or fruit.
3. Strengthens your immune system- Frozen vegetables and instant breakfast drinks are two of the products companies are claiming can strengthen your immune system. Hmmm. I thought fresh vegetables and fruits did that.
4. Made with real fruit- Yes, but the quantities are minuscule and often aren't the same type of fruit shown on the package. Did I mention the main ingredients in these products are corn syrup, white sugar, and white grape juice concentrate?
5. Made with whole grains- Refined flour is often the first ingredient, yet some manufacturers make the claim that their product is made with whole grains. Also, the amount of whole grain is often minimal. One product contained more sugar than whole wheat.
6. All natural- Can you believe that some companies actually consider high fructose corn syrup to be "all natural"? Despite the fact it does not occur in nature & is not something that you can make at home- HFCS can only be made in a commercial setting.

It's important to read the ingredients and nutrition facts and beware of marketing claims.
What kind of nonsense phrases have YOU found on labels? Let us know and I'll share them on the blog.

-Xtreme Country Girl

Can you name the top 5 food trends for 2010?

2010-01-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

The vote is in! A panel of food experts at the 35th Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco reviewed over 80,000 products and have weighed in on the top 5 food trends for 2010.

They are:

Good-for-you foods

No examples were given, but I would hope fruit and vegetable products would be in this category.

Coconut

A source of quick energy, coconut helps boost endurance and possesses many health benefits. Laura's Wholesome Junk Food uses coconut in our healthy cookie treats because of the nutritional value, and hey, it tastes good!

Gluten-free

More people are diagnosed every day with Coeliac (Celiac) Disease and must eat a gluten-free diet. Others have found that their health improves by eating gluten-free.Whether by necessity or choice, gluten-free treats and other food dishes are becoming more popular.

Exotic citrus

Many exotic fruits such as pomelo (a cross between a navel orange and a grapefruit) are gaining in interest.

Pomelos

Nostalgic foods

The recession appears to be driving this trend. Nostalgic foods are rising in popularity as consumers attempt to recreate "the good old

days."

Fermented foods (including pickled foods), smoked foods, baked jalapeno potato chips, and spicy popcorn are also trending foods. What are your favorite foods for the coming year? Let us know!

Xtreme Country Girl

Feminine Or Yin "Guilt" -- One Of The Top Culprits Of Sleep Deprivation For Women

2010-01-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

by Dr. Laura Trice
Health and Communication Strategist, Author and CEO of Laura's Wholesome Junk Food
(reposted from The Huffington Post,
Posted: January 10, 2010 02:56 PM)

Are you well rested right now?

Sleep is so essential to women feeling good. I have interviewed many women about the impact of sleep on them, and what I hear is fairly consistent. Having enough sleep enables a women to feel good and not having enough deprives us of the capacity for joy. What would the world look like if every person had one good night's sleep?

I am going to run through five items to consider with regards to sleep:

1. Exercise - I know that I feel better and sleep better when I have taken the time to do some type of exercise. Even going for a walk for 20 minutes.

2. Food - Now food is two fold. What are you eating and when are you eating it? I feel best when I avoid white sugar and flours and also don't eat for two to three hours before bed. That late night carb binge always leaves me looking and feeling a little tired and puffy the next morning. Yes, ladies, that does include wine.

3. Neatness, safety and serenity of your bedroom - Is your bedroom a haven and a sanctuary where you can relax and retreat from the chaos of the day and feel peaceful and safe? Or, is it a disaster? Get your work papers out, clutter, put a flower, light a candle -- make it beautiful. You need your rest.

4. Noise and silence - Some women can sleep through anything and others need some quiet. Fans, earplugs (the green lower decibel ones) and your own soft music can mask sounds so your mind can slow down.

5. Bedtime routine - Remember how we all had bedtimes, story time and then lights out? That still works. Come up with a bedtime routine you like. Don't go from TV or the computer to bed because your body and mind need transition. Mine seems to need about an hour. A bath, some candle light and some relaxing book that is calming. Right now I am not sleeping as well as I could because I am reading an amazing mystery book that is mentally stimulating me versus relaxing me ... oh well. Also, if you and your partner wants to get intimate, get into bed early so you have energy versus hoping he'll change his mind.

Let's get to why I put "guilt" in quotes with the words feminine and yin before it. Women can feel or think they feel "guilty" for taking time for themselves and caring for themselves. Let's say laundry needs to get done and they are exhausted -- they feel "guilty" that they are being "selfish" for not doing for and caring for others.

I propose that it is not "guilt" women feel for self-care but we are feeling "uncomfortable", "unworthy", "anxious", "scared" or "nervous" doing something nice for themselves. But, we call it guilt. Most women's minds' tell us "do more, more, more. The sky will fall if all the dishes are not done." Between husbands and children, work and home, so many women feel pulled in multiple directions and the work seems to never be done.

Here is my challenge to you, the next time you feel "guilty" for stopping to enjoy a cup of tea, taking a nap or leaving a load of laundry undone, tell yourself , "Yin or Feminine guilt is a GOOD sign that I am doing something for myself." Rejoice and also ask yourself, "What am I really feeling?" You may feel a funny feeling in your stomach, you may even feel scared like something bad will happen because you are doing for yourself and not doing for others. After all, there is a great deal of pressure on women to mother the world.

Dr. Patricia Allen PhD, CBT and Author, advises women to change from full-time giving and nurturing mothers back into self-loving women who start putting their own needs first after children reach about eight to ten-years-old. A woman who self sacrifices for children who can do for themselves and healthy adults not only hurts her body in the long run, but also sets a poor example for her daughters and sons on how a woman needs to care for herself. I love the example I heard of a self-loving woman whose son started doing all his own laundry at age eight.

The best thing you can do for yourself, others and the world is take a moment for yourself. And, no matter how many moments you take for yourself, no matter how much money you spend or what you accomplish, you simply will be unable to enjoy it without adequate sleep.

If I am sleep deprived, everything is muted, I feel like a zombie, my heart races and I have a low grade headache at the base of my skull. If I get barely enough, the headache is gone and my heart beats at a regular rate but I still feel a little zombie like. When I am tired, I also tend to make lousy food choices and will eat more unhealthily and then sleep worse the next night. It is a self perpetuating cycle.

With enough sleep, I feel great and cannot wait to live my day. With a wonderful little nap, I am super charged and ecstatic.

So, knowing that feminine or yin "guilt" isn't really guilt and also that it is a GOOD sign when you are taking care of your body, I pose two questions to you:

How well rested are you right now?
What is your secret to good sleep or your plan for better sleep (ie what guilt will you let go of so your body and spirit can feel better?

Tasty Tidbits about Oatmeal

2010-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Avena sativa, the common oat, is not only nutritious and delicious, but has many uses. Let's celebrate National Oatmeal month by looking at a few:

*natural way to treat acne-- apply lukewarm, cooked oatmeal to acne for a few minutes, then rinse with cool water
*absorbs odors-- place an open container in the fridge
*relieves itching and soothes skin-- used in bathwater, it relieves itchiness and soothes the skin
*body scrub or facial mask *oatmeal soap
*used as an ingredient in cooking-- beer, meatloaf, breads, cookies, the list is almost endless!
*animal food- horses and cattle are routinely fed oats

Did you know?

Whole grain oats, also known as steel-cut, are oats that are cut into small pieces.
Rolled oats are first steamed, then flattened.
Quick oats are cut into small pieces, then steamed and flattened.
Instant oats are pre-cooked, dried oats that generally have sweetener and flavoring added.

Oatmeal has been praised for its soluble fiber content and its positive effects on cholesterol levels. Oatmeal is chock full of vitamins, minerals (such as iron), and antioxidants. Research suggests that oatmeal -being made of complex carbohydrates - may help you control your weight, and may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Laura knows about the goodness of oatmeal. At Laura's Wholesome Junk Food, we make our healthy cookies with a perfect balance of rolled oats and other ingredients that never tastes “too healthy”. Our biggest compliments come from people who never liked “healthy stuff”. Since the number one ingredient in our regular flavors is a whole grain (oats), not white sugar or flour, our products provide a slow burn that satisfies and sustains energy.

Celebrate National Oatmeal Month with Laura's Wholesome Junk Food healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip or healthy Oatmeal Raisin cookies today!

-Xtreme Country Girl

Michael Pollan serves up a different way to tackle the health care crisis

2010-01-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

"Food Rules," the latest Michael Pollan book, tackles the problem of the American diet. According to his blog on the Huffington Post (read it in its entirety here):

"our health care crisis is in large part a crisis of the American diet -- roughly three quarters of the two-trillion plus we spend on health care in this country goes to treat chronic diseases, most of which can be prevented by a change in lifestyle, especially diet."

Pollan collected and formulated some no non-sense everyday rules for eating that bear repeating. Some of the rules from his book include:

*Avoid TV advertised foods. According to Pollan, Over two thirds of TV food advertising is spent promoting processed foods (and alcohol).
*If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't.
*Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk. Chemical additives, anyone?
*Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself. His theory is that if you must prepare treats and fattening foods yourself (for example, ice cream or french fries) you will most likely not eat them every day.
*Eat when you are hungry, not when you are bored. He encourages people to be aware of what they are eating & to ask yourself if you are really hungry.
*Do all your eating at a table. And, no, eating at your work desk does not count as a table. Eating while driving, working or watching TV fosters mindless eating.

What kind of rules do you have to help you eat healthier? Do you limit processed foods? Do you stick with healthy treats or healthy cookies? Do you have rules about including fiber in your diet?

What do you think?

--Xtreme Country Girl

Fresh Fruit for the Office

2009-12-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

Went to a small business expo last week in the Kansas City area and the door packet contained a flyer for a new business that has (IMHO) a fantastic idea. For those of you who don't know, Kansas City always ranks in the top 15 fattest cities in the nation. Not exactly something to be proud of.

So, anything that could help change that & make people healthier gets a thumbs up from me. This business I recently became aware of is called peels&crates (peelsandcrates.com), and delivers fresh, organic fruit directly to the workplace! Three sizes are available from 15 up to 50 servings, and they pick up the crate to reuse when you are done. How cool is that? As far as I can tell, they are only local to the Kansas City area, but I hope they are wildly successful and will expand this model to other cities. Does anybody know of any other companies doing something similar?

-Xtreme Country Girl

PPCK Visit to see our containers

2009-11-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

This was our visit to our container manufacturer, PPCK. Dr. Laura saw the molds for her containers, toured the facility, and touched the virgin food quality resin (U.S. FDA approved) used for her cookies. Unfortunately she did not get to see the containers being made, as the lines were broken that day. Our containers are made here in the U.S.A.

Here are the photos from our visit:

--Demo King

Aspen Health Forum

2009-11-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

The Aspen Health Forum was where leaders got together to discuss what health means and what needs to happen to address health domestically and globally. There were many wonderful speakers, some of whom I met.

Here I am pictured with Deepak Chopra, who spoke on many panels and gave a terrific talk on joy.

I also met Dr. Oz, an advocate for common sense good health who is very funny.

Mary Robinson is looking at health issues globally, specifically how to have local communities help themselves with sustainable systems.

In Joy and Good Health,

Dr. Laura