“For most moms the biggest culinary challenge is packing healthy, kid-friendly lunches that end up in their children’s tummies, not in a friend’s or the trash. Here’s help navigating your way through the shoals of school lunches. And make the lunches the night before to avoid the craziness in the morning.”

Read the full article here:

Pack nutrition, creativity into school lunch boxes

A recent report claimed that taking calcium supplements may put women at greater risk for a heart attack.

But the Mayo Clinic Dietitians say, “Don’t throw away your calcium supplements yet. There’s more to the story. The results of this particular study are not conclusive and, thus, not sufficient to dictate a change in recommendations about calcium supplements for otherwise healthy people. “

Read the entire article at the MayoClinic.com blog.

Are your supplements safe?

Medical News Today reports that many Americans assume that food supplements are regulated more closely than they are. Recently Consumer Reports released a list of 12 ingredients found in supplements sold in the U.S. that may be dangerous to your health. It is the consumers responsibility to become informed.

12 Potentially Dangerous Ingredients to Avoid

• Aconite
• Bitter orange
• Chaparral
• Collodial silver
• Coltsfoot
• Comfrey
• Country mallow
• Germanium
• Greater celandine
• Kava
• Lobelia
• Yohimbe

Read the entire article at Medical News Today and check the labels on your supplements.

Where can I find safe food supplements?

Looking for safe supplements that have never had any of these ingredients? Looking for a brand that has $300 million invested in research and development to keep you safe? Click here.

Before you leave, please share this article on your Facebook and Twitter by clicking the buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Sign up for my FREE report on the 7 Critically important supplements you can’t afford to leave up to chance…. Simply put your email in the box below.  (Don’t worry we won’t share your information or clog your mailbox with a bunch of mail.)

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In a new study, researchers at the UCSD School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center used a complex computer prediction model to determine that intake of vitamin D3 and calcium would prevent 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer annually in the US and Canada. The researchers model also predicted that 75% of deaths from these cancers could be prevented with adequate intake of vitamin D3 and calcium. Join Carole Baggerly with GrassrootsHealth as she discusses this new research. Series: Vitamin D Deficiency – Treatment and Diagnosis [Health and Medicine] [Professional Medical Education] [Show ID: 16940]

Are you getting enough Vitamin D?
Click here to take a short quiz to see if you are at risk for Vitamin D deficiency.

How much Vitamin D should you be getting?

This seems to be the year of Vitamin D. Everyone is talking about it. New studies being published and reviewed every day. For the next few weeks, I am going to be posting about vitamin D and helping you navigate through this new territory.

Today I want to refer you to an article by in the New York Times called, “What do you lack? Probably Vitamin D.”

The article discusses how we get vitamin d naturally and the recommendations for supplement use. It also shares the common diseases that may be related to vitamin d deficiency.

Read this article and if you have read some articles about vitamin d that would be helpful for our readers, please post a link in the comment section.

Then take this short quiz to see if you are getting enough Vitamin D.

One of my favorite recipe websites is Culinate.com. I have an account there where I can find recipes as well as type in my recipes and store them and share them with friends. Today, I was looking up my favorite cookie recipe, Bluebird Millet Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Plums when I stumbled upon an article about the upcoming legislation and progress of our government in improving our school lunches.

School may be out for the summer, but school food is very much in session — and on the front burner for activists, celeb chefs, the First Lady, and members of Congress alike.

Read the entire article here. School food cheat sheet: The federal government takes on school food

And open a FREE Culinate account and become a friend so we can share recipes.

While you are here, be sure to sign up for my FREE report:  The 7 Critical Nutrients You Simply Cannot Leave to Chance

As moms, it is easy to feel guilty that we aren’t doing all we can do for our kids.  We are overwhelmed with responsibilities from working outside the home, to chores around the house, to paying bills, to getting kids to school and activities.  It is no wonder we are feeding our kids fast food and frozen dinners.
But what are the consequences for our children?  Are there any easy solutions?

Consequences for our children (related to poor nutrition/weak immune systems)

• Obesity in children has doubled in the last 10 years (tripled in teens)
• ADD/ADHD are on the rise
• Chronic Infections such as cold/flu cause our children to miss school
• Asthma is rising (possibly due to our cleaning products)
• Type 2 Diabetes is now seen in kids (used to be rare)
• Kids are experiencing adult diseases like hypertension and heart disease

Easy Solutions to help our kids be healthier

• Make sure kids get 9-11 hours of sleep each night
• Help your kids get daily exercise
• Feed your kids fruits and vegetables daily
• Supplement your kids diet with natural food supplements
• Limit your children’s exposure to toxic chemicals

To learn more, sign up for my FREE report on the 7 most critical nutrients you and your children must have to be healthy.  You’ll get recipes and tips that help make raising kids easier and guilt free.

OK, I got your attention with that headline, right?  But, I’m not talking about that kind of drinking and I have a feeling you already knew that.  But seriously….

Are you having a hard time losing weight?

One of the quickest and easiest ways to start your weight loss program is by changing what you drink.

Did you know that you can easily consume an extra 400 calories a day with your beverages?  That would take you an hour in the gym to burn off!

A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that around 37 percent of our total daily liquid calories come from sugar-sweetened drinks.   What we drink has a bigger impact on  our weight loss than what we eat!

So kick start your weight loss program by changing what you drink!

Drink More Water

The best thing to drink is water!  Drink a glass of water before each meal and you will feel fuller and eat less.  It will keep you from becoming dehydrated and will give you more energy and keep you “regular.”  Water has zero calories and is your best choice for weight loss.

But I don’t like water, what can I drink?

If you absolutely cannot stand plain water, there are some alternatives.  Instead of sugary drinks like sodas, coffees, sweetened teas; switch to water, unsweetened teas, and unsweetened coffees.  Alcoholic beverages are full of calories so passing on these will help you.

Coffee without sugar added has some beneficial properties by adding antioxidants to your diet.  Drink black or use low or non- fat milk or low fat soy milk for cream.

Green teas are noted for helping aid weight loss.  Remember, stay away from added sugars.

What about Sugar FREE drinks?

Studies from Purdue University suggest that diet sodas may actually change the way your brain measures caloric intake and may cause you to crave more sweets.  Look at everyone you know who is drinking diet soda and think about that!

Take the Challenge

At the gym where I work, I talk with people every day about what they drink.  Most people who stop or greatly reduce sodas and sugary drinks lose 5 pounds the first 2 weeks.

I challenge you today to drink only water and non-sweetened beverages and see what happens.  (No artificial sweeteners either!)

Please leave a comment in the comment section if you accept the challenge.  Then come back in 2 weeks and leave an update of how much you lost with this one simple change!

Also, if you have other ideas for low calorie drinks, please leave a comment.

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• Healthy Eating Plus Working Out is Vital for True Weight Loss (weightloss.suite101.com)
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New Study:  Taking Fish Oil Supplements May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

32% reduced risk of breast cancer found in study of 35,000 postmenopausal woman in the Vitamins and Lifestyle study.

Supplemental fish oil use was associated with a 32% reduced risk of breast cancer and 10-year average use was suggestive of reduced risk for breast cancer.    Read the full story…

Do you know if you are getting the 7 most critical nutrients in your diet?

FREE report! Seven Critically Important Nutrients Whose Intakes You Simply Cannot Leave to Chance!

Fill in your first name and email in the box below and you will receive the FREE report instantly.

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Gwyneth Paltrow, age 37, admits she may have Osteopenia (the precursor to Osteoporosis.) Speculations are that her “crazy diets” and excessive exercise programs may be the culprit. Doctors said her vitamin D levels were some of the lowest seen and may be due to her low intake of dairy products.

Read full story here.

Wellness Lady’s word of warning: No crazy diets, exercise in moderation and take a Vitamin D/Calcium supplement if you aren’t getting enough in your diet.