If only the results from working out came in as little amount of time as it takes to watch this video of a guy getting results from working out.
<a href="http://video.msn.com?mkt=en-us&brand=msn video&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:c9b2bc48-0eb9-45c6-8821-4ab474ef1be2&showPlaylist=true&from=ol_en-us_msnhp&fg=MSNvideo_divoverlayplayer" target="_new" title="365 Day Exercise Timelapse">Video: 365 Day Exercise Timelapse</a>
Parents of picky eaters sometimes have to resort to trickery to get them to eat better. One "trick" that might encourage healthier appetites combines two techniques: enlisting kids' help with the cooking and mixing a sweet or surprise ingredient into the dish.
Modeling healthy eating habits and a positive attitude towards food should form the basis of your strategy for teaching your kids to eat well. Making your children eat what you eat and providing variety are also important.
But when your kids refuse, yet again, to eat what you offer and you start to fear they'll only eat chicken nuggets for the rest of their lives, you may be tempted to end the battle by smuggling healthy foods into dishes that they like, a la Jessica Seinfeld.
Perhaps you don't have to hide the healthy ingredients, though. Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan at the kitchn discovered one night that you can encourage your children to eat if you have them add the healthy ingredient into the dish (e.g., an apple in squash soup)âmaking it an intriguing game. It might not work every time, but getting your kids involved in the kitchen and making cooking fun is definitely worth a try (perhaps before you resort to hiding zucchini in brownies)
Fall plants and trees bloom profusely as human beings go out to romp and play, but at this time of year many of us fall victim to dreaded fall hayfever--so much so that puffy eyes, runny noses, hacking coughs, and wheezy sneezes are a SURE sign of autumn.
So what causes autumn hay fever? Why it must be that bright yellow flower along the road. Wrong! The yellow inflorescence is one of the Goldenrods, magnificent native wildflowers that get the blame for hay fever when, in reality, it's plain old Common Ragweed that hides in Goldenrod's shadow and is the REAL stealthy sneezemaker.
The term "ragweed" comes from raggedy edges of the leaf, but outdoorsman Jim Casada tells us ragweed actually "got its name from the fact that it occasioned the necessity of constantly going to one's handkerchief, colloquially called a "rag.'"
Ragweed plants usually grow in rural areas. Near the plants, the pollen counts are highest shortly after dawn. The amount of pollen peaks in many urban areas between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., depending on the weather. Rain and low morning temperatures (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit) slow pollen release. Ragweed pollen can travel far. It has been measured in the air 400 miles out to sea and 2 miles up in the atmosphere, but most falls out close to its source.
All this misery can begin when ragweeds release pollen into the air, and continue almost until frost kills the plant.
What Can I Do About It?
There is no cure for ragweed allergy. The best control is to avoid contact with the pollen. This is difficult given the amount of ragweed pollen in the air during pollination time. There is help, though.
Track the pollen counts.
Get away from the pollen where possible.
Take antihistamine medications.
If medication does not give enough relief, consider immunotherapy ("allergy shots").
WHY YOU WANT A PUMPKIN FACE
Donât trash those jack-oâ-lantern insides. Throw âem in a blender and mix the puree with ½ teaspoon honey and ¼ teaspoon milk. Spread the mixture on your clean face, and wait 10 minutes. Then use a damp washcloth to wipe it off. Youâll have super smooth, touchable skin.
Source: Pierre Michel Salon, New York City, 10/3/10
Most Annoying Sounds In The World
Time magazine put together a list of the most annoying sounds in the world. While the list isn't scientific by any stretch, it's filled with things that definitely make people cringe.
Here's a rundown of their top 10:
1. Vuvuzela
2. Emergency Broadcast System
3. Gilbert Gottfried
4. Nails on a Chalkboard
5. Car Alarms
6. Dial-Up Modem
7. The Hum
8. Snoring
9. Cicadas
10. Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber
Kim Stewart has been begging me to bring the kids by to check out her Christmas Light display.  I loaded up the family last night and we headed over after Kim's remote at Twin Liquors. Needless to say I was speechless!
You can bet I wasn't leaving there without snapping a picture.
I DON'T HAVE THE HEART TO TELL HER THAT IT MIGHT BE A "TAD" OVER THE TOP . . ..
Summer Kid Health Tips
By Dr Ari Brown Author of Baby 411 (The Baby Handbook)
Here are some Summer Do's:
1. Sunblock-- for all kids, including yours! (Most parents think babies under 6 months shouldn't have it on)
2. Bug spray (or insect netting)--yes it's safe. FYI: Mosquitos like people who blow off more CO2 and who are hot--which is why they really like pregnant women.
3. Swimmer's ear prevention--for kids who actually go under the water, not babies in the baby pool. It's a skin infection in the lining of the ear canal from pool water that pools in there, leaving a nice moist, dark, warm environment for germs. Parents can make their own swim ear prevention drops--rubbing alcohol and vinegar.
Summer Don'ts:
1. No fireworks please. The ER docs will thank me for mentioning this.
2. 2 hours of screen time a day max.
If we can highlight my office's (Capital Pediatric) after hours urgent care--open 5-8pm nightly and on weekends. We are also doing well checks during those hours for families who can't get off work to get their kids in.
Swine Flu: Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers
April 29, 2009, 7:15 PM ETWhat is H1N1 (swine flu)?
H1N1 (swine flu) is a type of influenza (flu) virus that causes respiratory disease that can spread between people. Most people infected with this virus in the United States have had mild disease, but some have had more severe illness, and there has been at least one death. Young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease may be at higher risk for complications from this infection. More information about who may be at higher risk will be available when more is known about the disease. There are steps you can take to protect your family and to know when to seek medical care.What are the symptoms?
In most children, the symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include:
FeverCough
Sore throat
Body aches
Headache
Chills and fatigue
Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea
Young children may not have typical symptoms, but may have difficulty breathing and low activity. Little is known about how H1N1 (swine flu) may affect children. However, we think the infection may be similar to other flu infections. Typically, flu infections cause mild disease in children, but children under 5 years old are more likely to have serious illness than older children. Although rare, severe respiratory illness (pneumonia) and deaths have been reported with flu infections in children. Flu infections tend to be more severe in children with chronic medical conditions. How to keep from getting it:
Flu viruses spread from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. Flu virus may also be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. We think H1N1 (swine flu) spreads the same way as other flu viruses. Right now, there is no vaccine to protect against H1N1 (swine flu), but there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like H1N1 (swine flu): Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.Teach your children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of their elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
Teach your children to stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
Children who are sick should stay home from school and daycare and stay away from other people until they are better.
In communities where H1N1 (swine flu) has occurred, stay away from shopping malls, movie theaters, or other places where there are large groups of people.
What to do if your child is sick: Unless they need medical attention, keep children who are sick at home. Donât send them to school or daycare.Have them drink a lot of liquid (juice, water, Pedialyte ®).
Keep the sick child comfortable. Rest is important.
For fever, sore throat, and muscle aches, you can use fever-reducing medicines that your doctor recommends based on your childâs age. Do not use aspirin with children or teenagers; it can cause Reyeâs syndrome, a life-threatening illness.
If someone in your home is sick, keep him or her away from those who are not sick.
Keep tissues close to the sick person and have a trash bag within reach for disposing used tissues.
If your child comes in contact with someone with H1N1 (swine flu), ask your doctor if he or she should receive antiviral medicines to prevent getting sick from H1N1 (swine flu).If your child experiences any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:
Fast breathing or trouble breathingBluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that he or she does not want to be held
Not urinating or no tears when crying
Their symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
For more information call 1-800-CDC INFO, or go tohttp://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
How to Protect Yourself Without Dangerous Drugs and VaccinationsAn excerpt from Mercola.com
I have not caught a flu in over two decades, and you can avoid it too, without getting vaccinated, by following these simple guidelines, which will keep your immune system in optimal working order so that you're far less likely to acquire the infection to begin with.
Optimize your vitamin D levels. As I've previously reported, optimizing your vitamin D levels is one of the absolute best strategies for avoiding infections of ALL kinds, and vitamin D deficiency is likely the TRUE culprit behind the seasonality of the flu -- not the flu virus itself.
This is probably the single most important and least expensive action you can take.
Avoid Sugarand Processed Foods. Sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately, and as you likely know, a strong immune system is key to fighting off viruses and other illness. Be aware that sugar is present in foods you may not suspect, like ketchup and fruit juice.
Get Enough Rest. Just like it becomes harder for you to get your daily tasks done if you're tired, if your body is overly fatigued it will be harder for it to fight the flu. Be sure to check out my article Guide to a Good Night's Sleep for some great tips to help you get quality rest.
Have Effective Tools to Address Stress . We all face some stress every day, but if stress becomes overwhelming then your body will be less able to fight off the flu and other illness.
Exercise When you exercise, you increase your circulation and your blood flow throughout your body. The components of your immune system are also better circulated, which means your immune system has a better chance of finding an illness before it spreads.
Take a good source of animal based omega-3 fats. Increase your intake of healthy and essential fats like omega-3, which is crucial for maintaining health. It is also vitally important to avoid damaged omega-6 oils that are trans fats and in processed foods as it will seriously damage your immune response.
Wash Your Hands. Washing your hands will decrease your likelihood of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other people. Be sure you don't use antibacterial soap for this -- antibacterial soaps are completely unnecessary, and they cause far more harm than good. Instead, identify a simple chemical-free soap that you can switch your family to.
Eat Garlic Regularly. Garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic against bacteria, virus, and protozoa in the body. And unlike with antibiotics, no resistance can be built up so it is an absolutely safe product to use. However, if you are allergic or don't enjoy garlic it would be best to avoid as it will likely cause more harm than good
Healthy Habits That Aren't from msn.comUsing antibacterial soap
You may be tempted to take a biological jackhammer to every microbe that dare touch your family, but the fact is thereâs a lot we donât know about the long-term effects of common, household use of antibacterials. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these chemicals have been shown, in the lab, to kill off only weak bacteriaâleaving the tougher ones to reproduce. Thatâs led many medical experts to worry that anti-bacterial soaps might be contributing to the rise of stronger bacteria, capable of fighting off our attempts to kill it. So far, this theory hasnât been proved in a real-life setting. What has been proved, however, is that washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap isnât anymore effective at preventing disease than hand washing with regular soap
Sitting up straight
According to a study presented in 2006 at the annual conference for the Radiological Society of North America, so-called âperfectâ posture might actually be contributing to back pain. Go ahead, call your mom and gloat. But make sure you get your facts right. When this story first came out last November, many newspapers incorrectly reported that slouching was the better way to sit. The problem turned out to be a "slanguage" barrier. In England, where the story was first reported, âslouchingâ refers to reclining backward, which is, according to the study, a great way to relieve pressure on your lower back. Translated into American slang, however, the news reports gave many people the impression that hunching forward was healthy, when, in fact, itâs actually worse than sitting up straight.Trusting your eyesight to carrots
If you think these vegetables will improve your vision, think again. While carrots do contain vitamin A, which is a major player in keeping your eyes working properly, you really only need a small amount of itâand no matter how much vitamin A you consume, itâs not going to magically eliminate your need for glasses. In fact, if you eat too much vitamin A, you can end up with a toxicâalthough not usually fatalâreaction. The idea that more carrots means better vision might actually be a relic of a World War II-era military disinformation campaign. According to the online World Carrot Museum, British intelligence began spreading the myth during the blitz as a plausible explanation for why their fighter pilots were suddenly able to spot Nazi planes at night. In reality, the British had simply developed a better radar system and didnât want the enemy to find out about it.
Drinking eight glasses of water a day
Admit it, this is one healthy habit thatâs a royal pain. Luckily, itâs also completely unnecessary. For some people, eight glasses a day might actually be far too much, leading to sodium deficiencies and potentially life-threatening water intoxication, caused by kidneys not being able to keep up the intake of liquids. In 2002, a kidney specialist tried, in vain, to find any scientific evidence supporting the eight-glasses-a-day myth. His report, published in the American Journal of Physiology, concluded that this standard health advice was complete and utter bunk that, like many urban legends, stemmed from a tiny grain of truth. Apparently, the dietary guidelines provided by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council do say that humans need 1 milliliter of water for each calorie of foodâadding up to about 10 cups a day. However, the same guidelines also say that we get most of this liquid from the water in solid food. Thereâs no need to drink more
Healthy Habits That Aren't from msn.comUsing antibacterial soap
You may be tempted to take a biological jackhammer to every microbe that dare touch your family, but the fact is thereâs a lot we donât know about the long-term effects of common, household use of antibacterials. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these chemicals have been shown, in the lab, to kill off only weak bacteriaâleaving the tougher ones to reproduce. Thatâs led many medical experts to worry that anti-bacterial soaps might be contributing to the rise of stronger bacteria, capable of fighting off our attempts to kill it. So far, this theory hasnât been proved in a real-life setting. What has been proved, however, is that washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap isnât anymore effective at preventing disease than hand washing with regular soap
Sitting up straight
According to a study presented in 2006 at the annual conference for the Radiological Society of North America, so-called âperfectâ posture might actually be contributing to back pain. Go ahead, call your mom and gloat. But make sure you get your facts right. When this story first came out last November, many newspapers incorrectly reported that slouching was the better way to sit. The problem turned out to be a "slanguage" barrier. In England, where the story was first reported, âslouchingâ refers to reclining backward, which is, according to the study, a great way to relieve pressure on your lower back. Translated into American slang, however, the news reports gave many people the impression that hunching forward was healthy, when, in fact, itâs actually worse than sitting up straight.Trusting your eyesight to carrots
If you think these vegetables will improve your vision, think again. While carrots do contain vitamin A, which is a major player in keeping your eyes working properly, you really only need a small amount of itâand no matter how much vitamin A you consume, itâs not going to magically eliminate your need for glasses. In fact, if you eat too much vitamin A, you can end up with a toxicâalthough not usually fatalâreaction. The idea that more carrots means better vision might actually be a relic of a World War II-era military disinformation campaign. According to the online World Carrot Museum, British intelligence began spreading the myth during the blitz as a plausible explanation for why their fighter pilots were suddenly able to spot Nazi planes at night. In reality, the British had simply developed a better radar system and didnât want the enemy to find out about it.
Drinking eight glasses of water a day
Admit it, this is one healthy habit thatâs a royal pain. Luckily, itâs also completely unnecessary. For some people, eight glasses a day might actually be far too much, leading to sodium deficiencies and potentially life-threatening water intoxication, caused by kidneys not being able to keep up the intake of liquids. In 2002, a kidney specialist tried, in vain, to find any scientific evidence supporting the eight-glasses-a-day myth. His report, published in the American Journal of Physiology, concluded that this standard health advice was complete and utter bunk that, like many urban legends, stemmed from a tiny grain of truth. Apparently, the dietary guidelines provided by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council do say that humans need 1 milliliter of water for each calorie of foodâadding up to about 10 cups a day. However, the same guidelines also say that we get most of this liquid from the water in solid food. Thereâs no need to drink more
Â
NO CALORIE NOODLES The low-carb craze really broke some hearts in this world because, honestly, who doesn't love pasta?Hearing that pasta goes straight to your waistline turned something fun and delicious into just another thing to feel guilty about.How great would it be if you could eat all the pasta you wanted -- and not gain a pound? It might be possible, if the claims of the makers of the "Miracle Noodle" are true.
Miracle Noodles are made with special Konjac flour, which come from a plant root similar to a yam. And, best of all, they have no calories because they're pretty much filled with nothing but high soluble plant fiber, which slows down digestion and gives you a long feeling of fullness.
What one food do you wish had zero calories? How much and how often do you think you could eat this food if you had no fear of gaining 600 pounds?
Check It Out: More information about Miracle Noodles can be found here.
The Most Effective Herb Supplements from Men's Health MagazineAn Expanding Midsection and alergies --The remedy: Coleus forskohlii root extract
Why it works: Unlike the stimulant ephedra (now banned by the FDA), this supplement doesn't hot-wire the central nervous system to ignite fat loss. Its active ingredient, forskolin, increases an enzyme that allows stored fat to be burned for fuel.
A recent study in Obesity Research reported that men taking 250 milligrams (mg) of C. forskohlii root extract (with 10 percent forskolin) saw their body-fat percentage drop an average of 4 points over 12 weeks. As a bonus, men in the same study increased their testosterone levels. The pick: Vitamin Shoppe ForsLean ($29 for 120 capsules)
Toxic Intruders-- The remedy:Â milk-thistle extract
Why it works: Whether you're inhaling secondhand smoke, recovering from a night of boozing it up, or popping ibuprofen, your liver is among the initial lines of defense against toxins.
Milk thistle's active ingredient, silybin, modifies existing liver cells to create a protective barrier against these toxins. It also helps form new liver cells. Milk thistle has been shown in various clinical trials to be safe and effective in protecting liver cells from the toxicity of drugs.
Sleepless Nights -- The remedy:Â 5-HTP
Why it works: 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the chemical that tryptophan must convert to in order to boost serotonin, the sleepy-time hormone. Unlike tryptophan, however, 5-HTP has no trouble crossing the blood-brain barrier, so you'll be sawing wood stat. For nearly half a century, 5-HTP has been used clinically to treat insomnia.
The pick: Natrol 5-HTP ($14 for 45 capsules)
For more details pick up the latest Men's Health Magazine--you know the one with the sexy guys showing their 6 pack abs on the cover or here's the link to their website with the 7 best herbal picks.
The Most Effective Herb Supplements from Men's Health MagazineAn Expanding Midsection and alergies --The remedy: Coleus forskohlii root extract
Why it works: Unlike the stimulant ephedra (now banned by the FDA), this supplement doesn't hot-wire the central nervous system to ignite fat loss. Its active ingredient, forskolin, increases an enzyme that allows stored fat to be burned for fuel.
A recent study in Obesity Research reported that men taking 250 milligrams (mg) of C. forskohlii root extract (with 10 percent forskolin) saw their body-fat percentage drop an average of 4 points over 12 weeks. As a bonus, men in the same study increased their testosterone levels. The pick: Vitamin Shoppe ForsLean ($29 for 120 capsules)
Toxic Intruders-- The remedy:Â milk-thistle extract
Why it works: Whether you're inhaling secondhand smoke, recovering from a night of boozing it up, or popping ibuprofen, your liver is among the initial lines of defense against toxins.
Milk thistle's active ingredient, silybin, modifies existing liver cells to create a protective barrier against these toxins. It also helps form new liver cells. Milk thistle has been shown in various clinical trials to be safe and effective in protecting liver cells from the toxicity of drugs.
Sleepless Nights -- The remedy:Â 5-HTP
Why it works: 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the chemical that tryptophan must convert to in order to boost serotonin, the sleepy-time hormone. Unlike tryptophan, however, 5-HTP has no trouble crossing the blood-brain barrier, so you'll be sawing wood stat. For nearly half a century, 5-HTP has been used clinically to treat insomnia.
The pick: Natrol 5-HTP ($14 for 45 capsules)
For more details pick up the latest Men's Health Magazine--you know the one with the sexy guys showing their 6 pack abs on the cover or here's the link to their website with the 7 best herbal picks.
Vintage Kitchen Tips - Tipnut.com These kitchen tips are a collection gathered from a variety of vintage books, cookbooks and magazines from the 1940âs and 1950âs. To keep cheese from getting hard, cut off enough for immediate use and spread the remaining portion with a thin film of butter or margarine. Put it in a cool place. This keeps out the air and prevents the cheese from drying out.
To thin a small portion of peanut butter, use orange juice. It makes it spread much easier and adds taste appeal
A corner cut from an envelope and pierced at the point makes a good funnel for filling salt and pepper shakers.
Sprinkle pantry shelves, window sills, and door sills with a mixture of red pepper and sage to rid them of ants.
To clean and freshen wooden chopping blocks, counter or rolling pins, sprinkle table salt on these surfaces when they are wet and scrub dry.
When in doubt about an egg, make this test: add 2 tsps. salt to a cup of water and put the egg in it. A fresh egg will sink, a doubtful egg will float.
Lemons will stay fresh longer if you store them in a bowl of cold water in the fridge. Theyâll keep up to 3 months this way.
A little salt sprinkled in the frying pan will keep fat or lard from splattering.
To make peeling hard-cooked eggs easier, butter your thumbs.
This is from the Food and Drug Administration
Search for Peanut Butter Product Recalls
Information current as of 12 PM January 22, 2009
Peanut Butter Product Recall (Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak):
This list includes food products subject to recall in the United States since January 2009 related to peanut butter and peanut paste recalled by Peanut Corporation of America. This list will be updated as new information is received. This information is current as of the date indicated. Once included, all food recalls will remain listed. If we learn that any information is not accurate, we will revise the list as soon as possible.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES ARE OK!
Candy Product
Hy-Vee
Landies
South Bend Chocolate Company
Wegmans Swiss Recipe
Cookie Product Recalls
Best Brands Corp.
Classic Breaks
Cub Foods
Evening Rise
Famous Amos
Food Lion Bake Shop
Hy-Vee
Keebler
Lofthouse
Parco Foods Chuck's Chunky
Pastries Plus
WalMart Bakery
Cracker Product Recalls
Austin Quality Foods
Keebler
Little Debbie
Weis Quality
Fruit and Vegetable Product Recalls
Eating Right
H-E-Buddy
Ready Pac Cool Cuts
Trader Joe's
Ice Cream Product Recalls
Perry's
Private Selection
Shurfine
Wegman's
Peanut Butter Product Recalls
GRANDE GOURMET
King Nut
POCO PAC
Parnell's Pride
Peanut Corporation of America or Parnell's Pride
Peanut Paste Product Recalls
Peanut Corporation of America or Parnell's Pride
Pet Food Product Recalls
Great Choice Peanut Corporation of America or Parnell's Pride
For more and an updated list go to the FDA's website at
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov
 THE 5 BEST FRUITS TO EAT DURING WINTER
Believe it or not, this is a perfect time to branch out to some bolder fruits, and some of the best hit their peak just in time to snap our tastebuds out of their winter funk.
In the new Men's Health magazine, chef Theo Roe of the Culinary Institute of America says that "many offer a great combination of sweet flavor with an acidic tang." He adds, "They're refreshing and can provide a nice mental boost during the long cold winter."
Here are five selected both for taste as well as their health-boosting potential:
1. Persimmon. The antioxidants in persimmons can help control diabetes and the cell damage it causes. Serving tip: Serve with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese.
2. Pomegranate. Pomegranate seeds are high in polyphenols, plant chemicals that fight inflammation. Serving tip: Mix the seeds into oatmeal for more flavor and crunch.
3. Kiwi. One kiwi contains about 100 milligrams of immunity-boosting vitamin C. Serving tip: Add kiwi slices to a spinach salad.
4. Guava. One cup of raw guava contains more than 8,500 micrograms of the antioxidant lycopene, which may help prevent coronary artery disease. Serving tip: Pair it with blue cheese and figs for a snack.
5. Pomelo. Pomelos pack flavanones, a class of antioxidants that have been shown to help prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Serving tip: Include them in a topping for a dessert sorbet.
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We had Sous Chef Kevin Jackson in from Woodland Restaurant (south Congress Ave., next to the Farmer's Market) and he told us how to get the plumpest, juciest Turkey ever. He said it would be so juicy it would squirt you in the eye.
There is a lot of attitude and personal tastes involved with brining a turkey (it works on any kind of meat, poultry and pork is especially good). The main ingrediant is salt and lots of it, it doesn't however make the meat salty.
Here is one I especially like from Emeril and the Food Network:
Remove the neck, giblets, and liver from the cavity of the turkey and reserve for the gravy. Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold running water.
Soak the turkey in the brine, covered and refrigerated, for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse well under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels, inside and out. Place breast side down in a large, heavy roasting pan, and rub on all sides with the butter. Season lightly inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff the turkey with the onion, orange, celery, carrot, bay leaves, and thyme. Loosely tie the drumsticks together with kitchen string.
For the turkey broth: Heat the oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium high heat. Add the turkey neck, heart, and gizzard to the pan and saute until just beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add the chopped vegetables and bay leaf to the pan and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Pour the stock and 3 cups of water into the pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the stock is reduced to 4 cups, about 1 hour, adding the chopped liver to the pan during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Strain the stock into a clean pot or large measuring cup. Pull the meat off the neck, chop the neck meat and giblets, and set aside.
Roast the turkey, uncovered, breast side down for 1 hour. Remove from the oven, turn, and baste with 1/2 cup stock. Continue roasting with the breast side up until an instant-read meat thermometer registers 165 degrees F when inserted into the largest section of thigh (avoiding the bone), about 2 3/4 to 3 hours total cooking time. Baste the turkey once every hour with 1/2 to 3/4 cup chicken or turkey stock.
Remove from the oven and place on a platter. Tent with aluminum foil and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.
For the pan gravy: Pour the reserved turkey pan juices into a glass-measuring cup and skim off the fat. Place the roasting pan on 2 stovetop burners over medium heat add the pan juice and 1 cup turkey broth and the white wine to the pan, and deglaze the pan, stirring to scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the remaining 3 cup of broth and bring to a simmer, then transfer to a measuring cup.
In a large heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium high heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, to make a light roux. Add the hot stock, whisking constantly, then simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Add the reserved neck meat and giblets to the pan and adjust seasoning, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Pour into a gravy boat and serve.
Brine:
1 cup salt
1 cup brown sugar
2 oranges, quartered
2 lemons, quartered
6 sprigs thyme
4 sprigs rosemary
To make the brining solution, dissolve the salt and sugar in 2 gallons of cold water in a non-reactive container (such as a clean bucket or large stockpot, or a clean, heavy-duty, plastic garbage bag.) Add the oranges, lemons, thyme, and rosemary.
Note: if you have a big turkey and need more brine than this, use 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup brown sugar for every gallon of water.
People in Japan are going bananas over the Morning Banana Diet -- so much so that there are reports of a banana shortage there as eager dieters gobble them up. Banana sales went up 80% in one week compared to the same week last year.
But registered dietician Kerri Glassman said on Friday's Early Show that it's "a recipe for disaster."
Here's how the Morning Banana Diet works:
Breakfast: As many bananas as you want, eaten with warm water. Then nothing until lunch.
Lunch: Anything you want, even say, pizza and fries.
Mid-Afternoon Snack: Whatever you like, it can even be a sweet.
Dinner: Again, anything you want, but it has to be eaten before 8 p.m.
After Dinner: Nothing after dinner, including sweets, and you have to go to bed before midnight.Â
Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez was skeptical, observing, "(You can have) as many bananas as you want (for breakfast)? Maybe the idea is you get so full, you don't want to eat a big lunch, or a big dinner?"Â Â
"That's part of it," Glassman agreed. "Bananas do have fiber, and they're gonna help fill you up to some extent. But still, many people we know, no matter how many bananas you have for breakfast, (if) they're told you can have whatever you want for lunch and dinner -- you could be having a turkey sandwich, trying to lose weight, and then all of a sudden, you switch to pizza and fries -- you're gonna gain weight. It's a recipe for disaster for most people."People are going ape for it!
We talked about "Super Foods" today on the air and I got about 10 emails asking to have the list or could I post the list. We are trying around my house to eat healthier but it's a constant struggle with a 3 and 5 year-old.
When I found this list I thought these are some we could integrate into our weekly menu.The nutrition experts at BestLifeOnline.com make it a bit easier for you to eat healthier with this list of super-healthy foods you should try working into your diet every day:
SPINACH. Spinach is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. It also aids muscle growth and builds strong bones. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked each day.
YOGURT. Loaded with bone-building calcium and protein, yogurt has millions of pro-biotic organisms that strengthen the good bacteria in your body, which boosts your immune system and protects against cancer. Aim for 1 cup per day and make sure the label says "live and active cultures."
TOMATOES. Red tomatoes are best, because they're packed with more of the anti-oxidant lycopene. Processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones and both boost your immune system. A diet rich in lycopene can reduce your risk of coronary artery disease and certain types of cancer. Aim for about 8 red cherry tomatoes or 1 glass of tomato juice a day. You can also pile on the ketchup and tomato sauce!
CARROTS. Most yellow, orange, and red vegetables and fruits are packed with carotenoids -- fat-soluble compounds that may help reduce the risk of many cancers, as well as conditions like asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. They also boost your immune system and enhance eyesight. Aim for 1/2 cup a day. (Yes, that can even come from carrot cake!)
BLUEBERRIES. With more anti-oxidants than any other popular fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes as well as increase immunity. Rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, blueberries also boost cardiovascular health and brain power. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or 1/2 cup dried or frozen.
BLACK BEANS. All beans are good for your heart, but black beans are full of anti-oxidant compounds that improve brain function and muscle growth. A 1/2-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, is low in calories and has zero saturated fat. Use black beans in burritos, pasta dishes and chili.
WALNUTS. Rich in heart-healthy omega-3s, loaded with anti-inflammatory polyphenols and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut is an awesome snack. A 1-ounce serving of walnuts -- about 7 nuts -- is a great post-workout snack. Sprinkle on salads or grind and mix with olive oil as a marinade for fish or chicken.
OATS. Oats are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Because oats have 10 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-building energy and brain power. Eat granolas and cereals with at least 5 grams of fiber per serving or sprinkle on salads and yogurt.
NO CALORIE NOODLES The low-carb craze really broke some hearts in this world because, honestly, who doesn't love pasta?Hearing that pasta goes straight to your waistline turned something fun and delicious into just another thing to feel guilty about.How great would it be if you could eat all the pasta you wanted -- and not gain a pound? It might be possible, if the claims of the makers of the "Miracle Noodle" are true.
Miracle Noodles are made with special Konjac flour, which come from a plant root similar to a yam. And, best of all, they have no calories because they're pretty much filled with nothing but high soluble plant fiber, which slows down digestion and gives you a long feeling of fullness.
What one food do you wish had zero calories? How much and how often do you think you could eat this food if you had no fear of gaining 600 pounds?
Check It Out: More information about Miracle Noodles can be found here.
 THE 5 BEST FRUITS TO EAT DURING WINTER
Believe it or not, this is a perfect time to branch out to some bolder fruits, and some of the best hit their peak just in time to snap our tastebuds out of their winter funk.
In the new Men's Health magazine, chef Theo Roe of the Culinary Institute of America says that "many offer a great combination of sweet flavor with an acidic tang." He adds, "They're refreshing and can provide a nice mental boost during the long cold winter."
Here are five selected both for taste as well as their health-boosting potential:
1. Persimmon. The antioxidants in persimmons can help control diabetes and the cell damage it causes. Serving tip: Serve with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese.
2. Pomegranate. Pomegranate seeds are high in polyphenols, plant chemicals that fight inflammation. Serving tip: Mix the seeds into oatmeal for more flavor and crunch.
3. Kiwi. One kiwi contains about 100 milligrams of immunity-boosting vitamin C. Serving tip: Add kiwi slices to a spinach salad.
4. Guava. One cup of raw guava contains more than 8,500 micrograms of the antioxidant lycopene, which may help prevent coronary artery disease. Serving tip: Pair it with blue cheese and figs for a snack.
5. Pomelo. Pomelos pack flavanones, a class of antioxidants that have been shown to help prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Serving tip: Include them in a topping for a dessert sorbet.
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We had Sous Chef Kevin Jackson in from Woodland Restaurant (south Congress Ave., next to the Farmer's Market) and he told us how to get the plumpest, juciest Turkey ever. He said it would be so juicy it would squirt you in the eye.
There is a lot of attitude and personal tastes involved with brining a turkey (it works on any kind of meat, poultry and pork is especially good). The main ingrediant is salt and lots of it, it doesn't however make the meat salty.
Here is one I especially like from Emeril and the Food Network:
chicken broth
