Visit this website today and every day and vote for Cat House on the Kings.
To determine for yourself if this is a worthy cause check out their website http://www.cathouseonthekings.com/
Thursday, April 28, 2011
A Worthy Cause
Visit this website today and every day and vote for Cat House on the Kings.
To determine for yourself if this is a worthy cause check out their website http://www.cathouseonthekings.com/
Too Much of a Good Thing
How much salt (sodium chloride NaCl) does the human body require? A generally agreed upon amount required is 1.5g (1500mg). Is the consumption of more than 1.5g unhealthy? It depends upon a person’s physiology. Some individuals can safely consume up to 2.3g (2300mg) daily. So it becomes a matter of choice. But does it really?
Since I only buy 'no salt added' or 'low salt' processed foods I can’t go to my pantry and pull out examples of high sodium processed foods. Go, however, to any restaurant menu on-line, look up the nutrition information and you will see, if you choose to eat out, you have little choice.
A single slice from a 14 inch Meat Lover’s® pizza from Pizza Hut contains between 1180mg and 1210mg of sodium. Who eats only one slice? I have stopped going to Applebee’s even though I like their selections and prices. There are at least three items on their menu that top 5000mg of sodium. The vast majority meets or exceeds the 2300mg maximum sodium content for an entire day, and for someone who needs to maintain 1500mg, forget it. How about fast food from the local burger joint? This may be a safer choice; McDonald’s offers a plain hamburger for 550mg sodium, but watch out for the Angus Bacon and Cheeseburger at 2070mg. Burger King offers the Whopper Jr. without mayonnaise at 440mg sodium. Wendy’s has a Jr. Hamburger with 480mg sodium. At all three locations you must be careful of breakfast offering and salads. Frozen entrées from the three leading manufacturers average between 550mg and 700mg of sodium. Don’t even ask about full meals, some can have sodium content exceeding 1000mg.
So what got me started on this particular tirade? It is not just the health problems associated with excess sodium; I am concerned about my appearance as well. When I look in the mirror on the morning after a nice meal at a nice restaurant I look like a blimp. Water retention causes me to gain weight and look fat. I can always add salt at the table if I choose, so why must chefs and food manufacturers add so much in preparation?
The best way to bring about change is to squeeze the bottom line. If you agree with me, vote with your wallet. Stop buying products where you are paying top dollar for such a cheap ingredient, and one, that in excess, can be harmful to your health.
Live long and prosper!
Since I only buy 'no salt added' or 'low salt' processed foods I can’t go to my pantry and pull out examples of high sodium processed foods. Go, however, to any restaurant menu on-line, look up the nutrition information and you will see, if you choose to eat out, you have little choice.
A single slice from a 14 inch Meat Lover’s® pizza from Pizza Hut contains between 1180mg and 1210mg of sodium. Who eats only one slice? I have stopped going to Applebee’s even though I like their selections and prices. There are at least three items on their menu that top 5000mg of sodium. The vast majority meets or exceeds the 2300mg maximum sodium content for an entire day, and for someone who needs to maintain 1500mg, forget it. How about fast food from the local burger joint? This may be a safer choice; McDonald’s offers a plain hamburger for 550mg sodium, but watch out for the Angus Bacon and Cheeseburger at 2070mg. Burger King offers the Whopper Jr. without mayonnaise at 440mg sodium. Wendy’s has a Jr. Hamburger with 480mg sodium. At all three locations you must be careful of breakfast offering and salads. Frozen entrées from the three leading manufacturers average between 550mg and 700mg of sodium. Don’t even ask about full meals, some can have sodium content exceeding 1000mg.
So what got me started on this particular tirade? It is not just the health problems associated with excess sodium; I am concerned about my appearance as well. When I look in the mirror on the morning after a nice meal at a nice restaurant I look like a blimp. Water retention causes me to gain weight and look fat. I can always add salt at the table if I choose, so why must chefs and food manufacturers add so much in preparation?
The best way to bring about change is to squeeze the bottom line. If you agree with me, vote with your wallet. Stop buying products where you are paying top dollar for such a cheap ingredient, and one, that in excess, can be harmful to your health.
Live long and prosper!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Blog's Resurrection
Since Easter is the beginning of new life, I thought perhaps the time has come for me to resurrect my blog. The problem with blogs, however, is that they take time to write; I have been spending my time writing other things and meeting newsletter deadlines.
Letters to Ethan: Joe’s Story was published in January so I also have spent time selling copies. The book will never be on the bestsellers’ list but is a good read I want to share with others. So if you haven’t already purchased your copy, then hop right on over to Xlibris.com and buy the paperback today.
On a less commercial note, I am struggling to keep up the maintenance on my house without a man around to help. Before Joe died, even if he was physically unable to do maintenance chores, he could advise me or vet a prospective contractor. John, too, was helpful when he still lived in-state. I hate to admit that there are some things that men do better than women, so I won’t. If any of my readers are, or know someone who is: honest, capable, efficient, and charges reasonable prices for handyman chores – please leave word in the comments section.
On Saturday, I taught a writing workshop at the Dublin Senior Center. I may be asked to do another. I don’t make any money doing these, but since I drive less than two miles to get there, even the high cost of gas isn't a burden. I enjoy working with people who want to write whether for their own pleasure or for publication. I love seeing eyes brighten when someone discovers they 'get' a concept. That’s all the reward I need.
I am always looking for ideas to write about, so if you think of something you would like to see in my blog, let me know.
Live long and prosper!
Letters to Ethan: Joe’s Story was published in January so I also have spent time selling copies. The book will never be on the bestsellers’ list but is a good read I want to share with others. So if you haven’t already purchased your copy, then hop right on over to Xlibris.com and buy the paperback today.
On a less commercial note, I am struggling to keep up the maintenance on my house without a man around to help. Before Joe died, even if he was physically unable to do maintenance chores, he could advise me or vet a prospective contractor. John, too, was helpful when he still lived in-state. I hate to admit that there are some things that men do better than women, so I won’t. If any of my readers are, or know someone who is: honest, capable, efficient, and charges reasonable prices for handyman chores – please leave word in the comments section.
On Saturday, I taught a writing workshop at the Dublin Senior Center. I may be asked to do another. I don’t make any money doing these, but since I drive less than two miles to get there, even the high cost of gas isn't a burden. I enjoy working with people who want to write whether for their own pleasure or for publication. I love seeing eyes brighten when someone discovers they 'get' a concept. That’s all the reward I need.
I am always looking for ideas to write about, so if you think of something you would like to see in my blog, let me know.
Live long and prosper!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
