Alteril Sleep Aid Scam

I originally published an Alteril product review on the now-defunct Yahoo! Voices in 2009. I called it a scam then and nothing has changed my mind about that. Here's the update on the Alteril scam. Background: Six years ago, I found in my then-16 year old son's bedroom, medication I didn't recognize. It was Alteril (Somnia latoril). When I asked him, he said a "friend's mom gave it me (red flag) to help me sleep better (red flag). Apparently this friend's mother ordered some from an infomercial (red flag) and gave some to her son (red flag) who shared it round. Biggest red flag! Now that's not the company's fault. But their shady infomercial marketing and dubious product labeling is. Read on Alteril Sleep Aid Scam Overpriced, Infomercial Internet Sales, Dubious Ingredients and Labeling

Lower LDL Cholesterol Naturally Drug-free with Greek Yogurt

Need to lower your LDL cholesterol? Want to do it without drugs? I got mine down to normal with diet. One change I made was eating more Greek yogurt. Yogurt and kefir (fermented yogurt drink) have long been used in the Mediterranean world for health.

One 8 ounce serving of plain skim milk Greek yogurt contains zero fat, is low in cholesterol, high in acidophilus and provides 20+ grams of protein. Nutrition Data (click here) shows that one cup of plain skim milk yogurt contains 45%  RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of calcium., a mineral women and elderly don't often get in sufficient quantities.

Acidophilus or bifidus (l. bifidum), is good bacteria which restores healthy flora to the digestive tract. It's especially important to eat it after taking antibiotics which kill all bacteria, good and bad. Yogurt is an excellent source of acidophilus, l. bulgaricus and l. thermophilus, other healthy live bacteria cultures.

The popular Mediterranean Diet, based on the dietary foods pyramid Mediterranean region dwellers, relies on yogurt and kefir as diet staples. For those working to reduce triglycerides and LDL (low density level lipoproteins) or 'bad' cholesterol, yogurt is an excellent dairy substitute. Being fermented, it helps clean clogged arteries. To get the most health benefit, choose Greek yogurt or kefir skim or lowfat.

Plain yogurt substitutes for cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, cheese spreads, shredded cheese and milk in cooking and baking. Bake with plain yogurt in breads, rolls, cakes, cookies, cream pies, muffins and donuts, in place of milk. Blend into dressings and sauces. For snacks, blend with honey or raw sugar. Add salt and vanilla for to substitute for frosting, topping or icing.

  One of my children's favorite treats was dip made by blending peanut butter and plain yogurt half and half. Now I used PB2 peanut powder. Dip fruits, vegetables, crackers, pretzels and other salty snacks. If you prefer a sweeter dip, add honey, raw sugar, pure maple syrup or blue agave syrup. Cinnamon, ginger or cardamom make tasty add-ins for yogurt-peanut butter dip.

  For more great food and health tips, visit my blog www.greatfood4u.blogspot.com.

Miss USA Pageant Tips: The Beautiful, the Bizarre and Downright Dangrous

Maybe you've seen the freaky things pageant moms do to their kids to get them "runway ready." Toddlers and Tiaras shows little ones getting spray-on tans, flippers (fake teeth), plucked eyebrows, waxing, shaving, makeup, hair-sprayed dos. After reading the beauty tips from Miss USA pageant contests, I see where this crazy thinking comes from. Not all. Some is just common sense exercise and nutrition. Others? Weird. Here's the beautiful, bizarre and downright dangerous on pageant prep. The better beauty tips? Miss USA Pageant Tips: The Beautiful and the Bizarre - Yahoo News

Mental Health Spring Cleaning: A-Z Mood Lifters to Beat Depression

Spring is here, so say the birds, flowers, sunshine. Yet here you sit depressed, wondering what all the fuss is about. Where's that spring freshness you're supposed to feel? If you can't see the light for the clouds, try these A-Z mood lifters to brighten you up. Mental Health Spring Cleaning: A-Z Mood Lifters to Beat Depression

Weight Loss Tip, Plan When to Eat, Not Just What

Dieting is very one-day-at-a-time. I've been doing it for about 20 months. Some days, I'm so sick of counting calories I want to scream. I'm always looking for ways to make dieting less tedious. I realized that it's as much about when I eat as what.

I've lost 95 pounds (left November 2013, right 2011) by allotting myself 1,350 calories a day. I eat six small meals and snacks. I eat breakfast within 30 minutes of rising (Dr. Oz recommendation). I've found that to have less trouble with hunger, I have to balance calories between meals and snacks. 300 for breakfast, lunch and dinner; 150 for snacks.   Diet Tip Plan When You Eat, Not Just What

Warning, Binges and Blowouts Make Dieting and Fasting Harder

I'm a Catholic: well not cradle Catholic-- I'm a convert. One thing I love about being Catholic is that we sure know how to celebrate life. Take Fat Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras): it's a huge Catholic lollapalooza before the solemnity of Ash Wednesday and Lent.

All good Catholics, it seems gear up for the penitential season by overdoing it in the party season. I have my doubts about the wisdom of this. And this isn't just for Catholics. It's for everyone trying to lose weight. I have lost 95 pounds and take it from me. Fat Tuesday Feasting Makes Ash Wednesday Fasting Harder That's me now left and int 2010 right. Blowouts and binges make dieting exponentially harder. Just sayin.

Quit When You Still Feel Ahead to Prevent Burnout

I did it again. Worked past personal stop time I'd set. I meant to get to the store in the window of time while it was nice. A teeny-weeny porthole window in Michigan.

Now I can't because my husband will be getting up soon and I don't want to miss him before he goes to work. There's no way I can make it back from the store in time. And I want to get it done before Snowmageddon hits, again, tomorrow. But no, I ignored my inner prompting and now I'm feeling anxious, burned out, but still like I didn't accomplish enough.

My friends, that still small voice is there for a reason. It's her that keeps us from overwork. When she says stop, listen, for your own good. Read on. Prevent Burnout, Quit While You Still Feel Ahead

Neither Shaming Not Enabling Helps the Obese Person

You've heard those PSAs "if you love someone, DO this or that for them?" Help them, get help for them. Okay, sometimes we can assist. And other times, the most loving this is not to help. Encourage them to do it themselves or just butt out and be a friend. Like losing weight. Several adult friends are overweight. Their parents and/or spouses are trying to force weight loss.  Shaming, Enabling Obesity Does Not Help--I Know

We Do Not Get Flu Shots and Here's Why

We don't get flu shots. Never have. There are many reasons why.

* Albumen allergy. I have one and you're not supposed to get flu shot if you have one. But beyond that....

* Ironically, I write this as husband came home sick. He has stomach flu which flu vaccines don't address. But it brings up a bone of contention with the pro-flu-vaccine crowd. They say we who don't get inoculated make them sick. But random vaccine and antibiotic dousing CREATES resistant superbugs. So it could be said that pro-shot folks make us sick.

Read on for other reasons Why We Do Not Get Flu Shot 

Balance is Healthier Parenting Than Health Obsession

The closer to nature, the healthier, right? Drugs, chemicals, cleaning products, household items, cosmetics, disposable items, kids products--we try to use natural ingredients as much as possible. Note I said "as possible." It's virtually impossible to avoid all. And my naturalista friends are going to gasp, but I say balance is healthier parenting that rigid obsession with health. Too much obsession becomes dangerous in itself. Sometimes it leads to weird behaviors like smother mothering, helicopter parenting, bubble-wrapped kids, MBPS (Munchausen by proxy syndrome). Think I'm exaggerating?

Take food for example. Organic, raw foods may be physically healthier, though with the chemical saturation of our environment, I'm not sure. I know myself. I over think everything. it would make me a crazy (crazier) wreck trying serve perfectly pure foods all the time. Raising four kids, I couldn't afford all natural foods, even if we ate only vegan. That food is super expensive! And even if I had one child, or no kids, I couldn't afford it. We live in the city--I couldn't grow all my own food if I wanted to. Our soil is toxic. I'd feel anxious and guilty that I'm a bad mom. Constantly worrying, makes me nervous and grouchy. And then I'm not a good mom. And THAT is my main priority.

So why am I giving all this rationale? Because group think nowdays says, EVERY thing must be done to excess, even health foods. And you know darn well, most people are struggling just to keep afloat in this crazy-hectic world. Whether with money, relationships, work, keeping up the Jones, it's a constant battle. Let me tell you a little secret: lighten up. Do the best you can. Don't aim for rigid perfection. You and your family will be a lot healthier. Better a meal of hot dogs together than the perfect vegan meal eaten alone. Balance is Healthier Parenting Than Health Obsession

I Will NOT Be Facial Waxing Again

I had bought a home facial wax kit and was going to try it. I've used the plastic wax strips before but tried pot wax with muslin. Here's that post http://bubblews.com/news/944414-i-am-going-to-try-facial-waxing. Here is why I will NOT be using this again (and why I will be returning it to the store, hopefully to get my money back).  I Will NOT Be Facial Waxing Again

Low Atmospheric Pressure Linked to Aches and Pains

You've heard the old-timer say he can tell it's going to rain because his leg hurts? That's because some conditions are affected by weather. Sinus, migraine, back pain and mood disorder sufferers notice increased problems by certain conditions. Got weather aches and pains? If you live in Michigan, hope, in the form of a thunderstorm can help.

Whatever ails you, ails him during muggy weather. Even animals suffer more, My cat, Scooter, a pretty easy-going guy, turns into a curmudgeon when the weather is hot and humid. A good friend reported that her generally placid pooch was downright rude when a puppy playmate stopped by during the recent heat wave. Read moreGot Low Atmospheric Pressure Aches and Pains? Mother Nature Has a Thunderstorm for You

Diet Recipe of the Day: Low Calorie, Super Protein Cottage Cheese

I've lost 75 pounds dieting and still have 25 or so to go to get to goal weight. Every day, I'm submitting a diet recipe using the +Dietrecipeoftheday tag. I've been craving savory foods. But salty snacks are mostly carbohydrates with no protein. And I'm trying to cut gluten and bread. Here's a snack that hits all three and is filling and tasty  Diet Recipe of the Day: Low Calorie, Super Protein Cottage Cheese

Low Calorie, Low-Fat Superfood Entree Recipes, Cheap and Easy

I'm dieting to lose 100 pounds. It's a journey, but I'm down 71 pounds. Along the way, I've created and tweaked recipes to subtract calories and fat and add superfoods (fruit, vegetables, lean meat, alternative protein). Here are homemade low-cal, low-fat entrees that are cheap and quick.  Low Calorie, Low-Fat Superfood Entree Recipes, Cheap and Easy

Diet Plan, Food Choices that Helped Me Lose 70 Pounds

I can't believe it. I've only got 30 pounds left to lose to hit my 100-pound weight loss goal. Sometimes it seemed the weight would never come off. I started dieting about two years ago, but got serious 10 months ago. I tried every eating strategy, except crash diets. I want to develop new healthy eating habits. As I've learned, I've tweaked my diet plan. That's paid off. I'm losing more each week. Here's the menu I followed to lose the first 70 pounds. I eat six small meals daily, totaling 1,350 calories.   Diet Plan, Food Choices that Helped Me Lose 70 Pounds

How I Protect My Family from Chemicals in Everyday Products

 United Nations-sponsored research released Tuesday links man-made chemicals in everyday products to increased birth deformities, hormonal cancers and psychiatric diseases, reports Reuters. As a 25-year mom of two girls and two boys, those findings don't surprise. They do concern me, however. As a special-needs teacher and health writer, I've followed findings on phthalate and BPA (Bisphenol A)-- chemical plastics connected to health problems-- for years.  First Person: How I Protect My Family from Chemicals in Everyday Products 

Rats, Rodent Infestation--Health Tips

To stem a rat problem in metro Detroit, St. Clair Shores, a suburb of the city, proposed a $5-per-rat kill bounty. A flood of negative feedback from locals caused the city to nix the plan, says the Detroit Free Press. Here are tips rodent infestation and rat removal.  Detroit Suburb Residents Give Rat Bounty Big Thumbs Down 

Dairy Food Swaps to Lower Cholesterol, Cut Calories

I started dieting 18 months ago. Along with losing weight, I needed to lower my LDL-low-density lipoprotein, "bad" cholesterol. Wanting to avoid medications, I tried reducing cholesterol with diet. A big step was lowering dairy consumption. Here are food switches that reduced LDL cholesterol and helped me lose weight. These food swaps cut 500-1,000 calories a day.  Dairy Food Switches to Cut LDL Cholesterol, Lose Weight

Diet Dangers--Things to Avoid to Lose Weight

 Dieting is one of the most challenging behavior modification acts to perform. Unlike quitting smoking, where the smoker can give up cigarettes altogether, the dieter has to eat to live. I can't give up food but I can avoid certain pitfalls. Here's my diet danger watchlist. Diet Problems

2012-2013 Flu Season Hits Hard

In health news, the 2012-2013 flu season is shaping up to be a rough one. The Detroit Free Press reports that yet another child has died in southwest Michigan from flu-related illness, bringing the number to three this year. Two adults have died from similar flu illnesses, and the number of cases in Michigan continues to rise. Despite this, I still urge caution when considering whether to get the flu shot or not. For all the hype about it, remember that it only protects against three strains and which ones will be virulent each year is hard to predict. Also, once vaccinated, you pretty much have to be vaccinated every year thereafter (that's from health care providers). Lastly, the best offense is a good defense. Eating healthy, taking care of yourself and your kids, keeping sick ones away from others, washing hands and covering your mouth--those are worth more than any vaccine. Michigan 2012-2013 Flu Shot Options