Thursday, October 30, 2008

Manage Your Cravings

These six foods can help make your cravings more manageable and help you eat less:

1. Apples -- High-fiber foods like apples usually need more time to chew, giving your body extra time to recognize that you're no longer hungry. Therefore, you're less likely to overeat.

2. Pine Nuts -- Pine nuts contain the highest amount of protein of any nut or seed. And they contain a poly-unsaturated fat that stimulates two powerful hunger-suppressing hormones, which then signal your brain that you're no longer hungry.

3. Flaxseeds -- Raw flaxseeds are great for controlling appetite. One ounce also provides the added benefit of 8 grams of fiber. The more fiber you eat an any meal or snack, the slower the rise in your blood sugar, helping to keep hunger at bay. You can toss flaxseeds onto salads, throw them into smoothies, or sprinkle them on veggies. They also lower cholesterol and have cancer-preventing properties.

4. Oatmeal -- Real oatmeal is one of the healthiest carbs. It enters your bloodstream slowly and keeps you full for a long time. Eating one bowl a day can reduce cholesterol up to 23%. For breakfast or as a snack, a small bowl makes an excellent hunger reducer. Add a handful of pine nuts or sprinkle on some ground flaxseed for longer-lasting fullness. You can even mix in a little peanut butter.

5. Salad -- If you want to avoid overeating, eat a small salad before a meal. The fiber helps slow the entrance of sugar into your bloodstream, making you feel fuller. Be sure to make it a small salad and avoid using a lot of creamy dressing or adding fattening toppings like croutons and cheese.

6. Soup -- Soup is one of the best things you can eat for appetite control and weight loss. The secret is the combination of high water and low calories. Just make sure to choose broths or vegetable soups, not the creamy ones. People who eat 2 servings of low-cal soup a day usually lose 50% more weight than those who eat the same amount of calories in snack foods.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Recalls

A couple of recalls that you might want to keep an eye on:

Potential salmonella contamination forces the recall of bags of Special Kitty Gormet Blend dry cat food sold at Walmart. It carries expiration dates of Aug. 11th '09 and a product code that starts with 50. The company recommends discarding it and returning the empty bag to the store for a refund.

Sherwoodbrand Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate coins (covered in the shiny gold foil)are being recalled because they may contain melamine.

And a panel of science advisers wants the chemical bisephenol A banned from use in plastic baby bottles for young children.

Friday, October 24, 2008




I just want to thank Dr. Lombardi in Eatontown and his wonderful doctors and staff for their recent contributions to some amazing causes. They've recently donated to events that serve the children of Monmouth County and breast cancer research. Not only that, but they help women (and men, too) feel so much better about themselves. Whether it's breast reconstruction after surgery or a lift like breast augmentation, liposuction, Botox, Juvederm, or any of a number of services, these doctors are awesome!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Algonquin's Family Series

The Algonquin presents a wonderful Family Series that is just an amazing way to introduce your children to all that theatre can be.Here's what's on the agenda.

Sun., Nov. 2: PBS's Mr. Steve. PBS's music teacher performs his award winning songs that blend participation, clever lyrics, and great melodies. Entertaining, interactive, and educational....a parent's dream!

Sat. Dec. 13: Cirque Spherus. Greg Kennedy is a two-time gold medal International Juggling Champion who delights and fascinates with new forms of juggling using light, motion, energy, and gravity. And he's joined in this production by two aerial acrobats performing on trapezes, silks, and spinning hoops that will defy the imagination.

Fri. Jan. 23rd, 2009: The Velveteen Rabbit. Based on the beloved book by Margery Williams, this is the story of a plush toy bunny coming to life because of the transforming power of a boy's love. This production offers surprises galore, including larger-than-life puppets and spectacular magic.

Sun., Feb. 8, 2009: Rainbow fish. The loveliest creature in the sea learns the meaning of true friendship when she is asked to share her beautiful scales with others in this shimmering musical.

Sat., April 4, 2009: Seussical, The Musical. Dr. Seuss's best-loved stories collide in this musical caper adapted from the Broadway version especially for young audiences.

Sun., May 31st, 2009: Junie B. Jones: Outspoken, precocious, lovable Junie stars in a musical about new friends, new glasses, and the annual kickball tournament. The Algonquin is on Main Street in Manasquan. Check them out at algonquinarts.org

Monday, October 20, 2008

Holiday Travel

As you start planning your holiday travel, one little piece of information on your ticket can actually help predict the likelihood of a delay-free trip this season - the scheduled arrival time.

In the past five years, 86% of November and December holiday flights that were scheduled to arrive between 7 am and 8 am arrived on time, giving that hour the highest punctuality of any Department of Transportation-measured time slot.

Forbes compiled a list of the best times to fly to avoid delay: Top five morning arrival times to avoid delays:
1. 7 - 8 am
2. 6 - 7 am
3. 8 - 9 am
4. 9 - 10 am
5. 10 - 11 am

If you're not an early-morning person, then try for just after lunchtime. Top five afternoon/evening arrival times to avoid delays:

1. 1 - 2 pm
2. 2 - 3 pm
3. 3 - 4 pm
4. 11 pm - 6 am
5. 4 - 5 pm

Monday, October 13, 2008

Ways To Beat Stress

Here are some ways to beat stress. We can always use a refresher!

1. Start your day right. Try, as hard as you can, to wake up in a good mood. Get a good night's sleep. Have everything prepared for the morning so you're not scrambling around. Wake up and give thanks for all that you have in life. And, very importantly, get some food in your belly before you head off to work, because hunger will make you cranky.

2. Read an inspirational book. A good book might be all you need to escape for a little while and release the tension you've accumulated during the day. It's also uplifting to read other people's stories and struggles. It's another way of feeling that you're not alone while suffering bad days.

3. Daydream. 10 - 20 minute rest breaks are vital. When you're stuck in a mindless routine of work, just sit back and start thinking of happy and funny things. Or get out of your chair and get some fresh air.

4. Call someone you love. When you're exhausted, it's easy to forget that you do it all for your family. So call your significant other or your kids, laugh a little and get back to work with a more positive attitude.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Long Branch Columbus Day Parade

Come join in the fun at the Columbus Day parade in Long Branch this Sunday (October 12) at 1 pm. The parade steps off from the corner of Broadway and Rt. 36 and proceeds up Broadway. The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, one of the sponsors of the parade, specializes in pediatric cancer patients and provides support to the families. Their mission is to provide specialized services, at no charge, to any local family facing the challenges of caring for a child with cancer. Taking part in the parade will be several high school bands including Long Branch, Shore Regional, and Monmouth Regional. There will also be floats, antique cars, and much more. Area businesses are invited to participate in the parade free of charge; a wonderful way to advertise your business while celebrating this special day!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Phone Call From Ellen

If you were to get a phone message from Ellen Degeneres telling you to get checked for breast cancer and live healthier, would you do it? She hopes so. she's produced a personalized phone messages to remind you to get a mammogram. Ellen's mom is a breast cancer survivor. You can sign up for a phone message from Ellen to go to a friend or family member by going to oneaday.com.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Events For The Family

The Monmouth County Park system has some interesting events coming up for the whole family:

The historic Longstreet Farm at Holmdel park on the 12th will hold a blacksmithing demonstration and you can take part in the corn harvest on the 18th and 19th. October 19th is Thompson Park Day in Lincroft.

For the kids, the Monmouth County Park system's Sunday Smilers begin October 19th and continue through February. Sleeping Beauty, Mother Goose, Pinocchio and Super Circus Stuff shows will be held in the Tatum Park-Red Hill Activity Center in Middletown.

And Monmouth County Park staffers have scheduled a couple of easy hikes for October. The Three Mountain Ponds Hike on the 11th is five miles through Blairstown. On the 21st there's a three mile hike through Norvin Green State Forest. Get registration details online through the park department web page.

Friday, October 3, 2008

World's Largest Hokey Pokey

On Saturday, November 1st, it's the largest Hokey Pokey ever (hopefully!) at the beach and boardwalk in Belmar at 2pm sharp. (Rain date Sunday, Nov. 2nd)This is an attempt to get in the Guinness Book of World records.

Grab friends, neighbors, and anyone you've ever or never Hokey Pokey'd with and, of course, your kids. The event will raise funds and awareness for the Julianne and Emily Hendrickson Fund for Children. Their mission is to break the cycle of welfare and poverty by using the values taught through outdoor experiences and education. the fund has paired up with Longacre Expeditions to work with at risk teens to build teamwork and leadership skills.

Register in advance or the day of the event.