A Woman's Network - for when life is like juggling huge exercise balls

Healthful Ingredients

Keep your heart strong and your energy level high.  The following foods in your shopping cart are sure to guard against heart disease, keep you energized while keeping your waist trim.

Whole-grain breads and cereals -- You can reduce your cholesterol, and control your weight with a diet that includes significant amounts of insoluble fiber.

Fruits -- Eat delicious fruits like apples, pears, citrus and berries.  They are packed with fiber and have shown promise in fighting heart disease. Lycopene, found in fruits like tomatoes, watermelon and pink/red grapefruit, are thought to help lower your risk cardiovascular-disease.

Dark, leafy greens --  Reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease by eating greens such as arugula and spinach which contain folate.  Folate is thought to break down homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood that is thought to increases the risk of heart-disease.

Nuts -- Containing healthy fats, walnuts have omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to lowering triglyceride levels. Other nuts such as almonds, cashews,and macadamias possess monounsaturated fats.  These fats are paramount in helping lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and will also raise HDL (good) cholesterol.

Salmon -- Fight heart disease with cold-water fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids; salmon, mackerel and sardines are among healthy heart fish.

Summer Citrus Salmon

half fillet of salmon (a few pounds) or 4 salmon steaks 3/4 of an inch thick
(optional) 1/4 cup of Saki or rice wine

one lime
one lemon

1/4 cup - extra virgin olive oil
fresh dill sprigs (about 10 - 20)
2 tablespoons of light soy sauce

20 stalks of asparagus

Mix juice of 1/2 lemon, 1/2 lime into the olive oil, soy and Saki.  Place salmon skin side down on a large piece of foil on top of grill heated to a medium heat.  Brush with flavored marinade.  Lay dill sprigs on top of salmon.  Slice remainder of lemon and lime and lay on top of the dill.  Close lid to the grill and let cook for 20 minutes. 

Cut the base of each asparagus, and shave the skin of the remaining stalk.  Use the same marinade to brush onto stalks.  Cook on grill with salmon (on foil) for 20 minutes with the salmon.

This promises to be a delicious summer dinner, light and easy to prepare.  This fast meal is a good for the soul and healthy for the body.

10 Ways Sugar can Harm Your Health

Excerpted From Ediets.com  for entire article click here

By Lynn Prowitt-Smith
Special for Ediets.com

June 7, 2005

Sugar may be sweet, but consuming it has a sour effect on your overall health. Though the facts about sugar may be hard to swallow, it is important to learn why you need to make more nutritious choices. Sample these 10 reasons eating refined sugar can damage your health. Educate yourself about sugar and find out where hidden sugars lurk.

How could something so sweet leave such a bitter mark on your health? Learn why you should shun sugar and make more nutritious food choices.

1. Sugar causes blood glucose to spike and plummet.

2. Sugar increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

3. Sugar interferes with immune function.

4. A high-sugar diet often results in chromium deficiency.

5. Sugar accelerates aging.

6. Sugar causes tooth decay.

8. Sugar affects behavior and cognition in children.

9. Sugar increases stress.

10. Sugar takes the place of important nutrients.

Slashing Sugar

Now that you know the negative impacts refined sugar can have on your body and mind, you’ll want to be more careful about the foods you choose. And the first step is getting educated about where sugar lurks -- believe it or not, a food needn’t even taste all that sweet for it to be loaded with sugar. When it comes to convenience and packaged foods, let the ingredients label be your guide, and be aware that just because something boasts that it is low in carbs or a “diet” food, doesn’t mean it’s free of sugar. Atkins products never contain added sugar. For more information, read "Finding Hidden Sugars."

Picky Little Eaters

My friends are always complaining about how picky their kids are when it comes to meal time.  I came across this site and thought it might be helpful when it comes to preparing meals that are healthy and that your kids will enjoy.

Summer Bruschetta

4 large (vine ripened) tomatoes, diced 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 cup freshly shredded Romano cheese, 2 cloves garlic- finely chopped, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste), 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper(to taste) Finely dices fresh oregano (to taste), 1 loaf French bread - toasted and sliced

In a large bowl, mix together the tomatoes, basil, Romano cheese, and garlic. Mix in the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, kosher salt, pepper, and oregano. Spoon onto toasted french bread slices and serve as a delicious summertime snack with a chilled glass of chardonnay.

Pink Ribbon

The pink ribbon was created in 1991 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the founder and President of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and then the editor of Self Magazine. The ribbon was designed to be a symbol for breast cancer awareness, sisterhood, surviving, and

Healthy Heart Guidlines

By no means would I ever call myself overweight, in fact some might say that I am thin.  I weigh 116 pounds and I am 5 foot 3 inches tall (Okay -- 5 foot 2 and 117).  Because I am thin does not mean I do not have to watch what I eat.  I like many others have dietary concerns. I struggle day in and day out to maintain a balance of diet and glucose levels without foregoing the sumptuous pleasures of a great tasting meal. I watch what I eat to remain healthy.  By following the American Heart Association's guidelines for a healthy heart, and the American Diabetes Association's guidelines for a  diabetic diet (food pyramid) -- I have come to a place where I am comfortable with my food choices.

Genetic Link in Breast Cancer

breastcancer.org is where this article originally appears

To date, most inherited cases of breast cancer have been associated with two genes: BRCA1, which stands for BReast CAncer gene one, and BRCA2, or BReast CAncer gene two.

The function of these genes is to keep breast cells growing normally and to prevent any cancer cell growth. But when these genes contain abnormalities, or mutations, they are associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Abnormal BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes may account for up to 10% of all breast cancers.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer who have an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene often have a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or both. But it's also important to remember that most women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

Identifying BRCA1 and BRCA2 has led to new techniques for lowering detecting and treating breast cancer and lowering the risk for the disease. For women who wish to be tested, we can now establish whether the two genes are normal or not.

But there's still a lot more to learn about these genes. And other genes probably also play a role in the development of breast cancer, for women both with and without a family history of the disease.

ogl

Myths and Truths about Breast Cancer

National Breast Cancer Foundation

MYTH: Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

TRUTH: Eight out of ten lumps are benign, or not cancerous. If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. Many times fear keeps women from aggressive health care. Sometimes women stay away from medical care because they fear what they might find. Take charge of your own health by monthly self-exams, regular visits to the doctor, and regularly scheduled mammograms. ... Read More

Walk for a Cure

What better way to show your support for a cure for breast cancer than by participating in the Avon Walk for the Cure.  Walk with a friend, a family member, in memory of a loved one, for all women, with a survivor, with your daughters, sons and husbands, with your mothers, neighbors, or by yourself.  Just get out there and show your support   Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among women of all races, religions, and nationality.  Breast Cancer does not discriminate. Join a united force in fighting Breast Cancer.

Did you know that according to breastcancer.org:

• Every two minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2005, it is estimated that about 212,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed, along with 58,000 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. And 40,000 women are expected to die from this disease.i
• Breast cancer is the leading cancer among white and African American women. African American women are more likely to die from this disease.
• Breast cancer incidence in women has increased from one in 20 in 1960 to one in eight today.

Join together to eradicate this disease.  Walks are held at different locations throughout the year in support of a cure.  Please show your support, Walk for a Cure.