Relax - For Your Health's Sake!

 With so much going on in our lives - the demands of work, family and managing all the other areas of our lives, it's no wonder our minds and bodies can become stressed.

  According to webMD, 40% off adults suffer adverse effects from stress. Our bodies are built to cope with stress but ongoing stress can be very harmful.  75 -90% of doctors visit stem from stress related ailments. 

 The effects of stress

Some of the effects of stress are headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, upset stomach, anxiety, weight gain or loss and chest pains.
With a few changes in our lives, we can learn to manage stress effectively, which can lead to a  healthier happier life. Relax, relate, release!


10 Simple ways to  relax

1. Take a relaxing bath, bubbles, candles, the whole works.

2. Go to the gym.

3. Go to the spa.

4. Listen to your favorite music.

5. Read a book you enjoyed as a child

6. Take  a long walk

7. Call a good friend. You know, the one that makes you laugh.

8.  Meditate.

9. Eat healthier. Even a simple cup of green tea can work wonders.

10. Take a nap. There is nothing like sleep to heal the mind and body.

Of course, you can always partake in your favorite hobby like paint, draw, cook, whatever you know can help you to relax.

Mother's Day

I hope all you moms out there enjoyed your Mother's Day this past weekend. I had a blast preparing a cute little lunch for my mom. I won't be posting any recipes yet but I'll just post some of the food that was prepared.  I kept the menu really light and simple. Needless to say, she enjoyed every delicious morsel.

                          

Green bell peppers stuffed with fresh basil and Italian Sausage rice.

Walnut cranberry Tart

 Pork chops stuffed with garlic sauteed spinach.

 Vanilla cupcakes with shaved white chocolate curls.

Gluten Free Granola Bars

 Warning: These bars are seriously addictive!

In fact, I think it's the cause of my recent 2lb weight gain. I simply cannot stop snacking on them.

 When you're on a restrictive daily diet like I am, there is always a challenge in finding healthy snacks.  Around 3 pm, I get so woozy and have a serious craving for anything sweet.  One day, I went to the kitchen, rifled through the panty, gathered ingredients and made granola bars. Since then, I've been experimenting with different recipes, all gluten free and dairy free. This recipe that I'm posting so far is my favorite. It's crunchy and sweet and delicately flavored.

Domino's Add Gluten Free Pizza To Their Menu

Domino’s recently announced that they have now added Gluten free pizzas to their menu in stores across the US.  The crust is made from rice starch, rice flour, potato starch, olive oil and water.  Oh happy day Right? Wrong!  Domino’s has stated that while the pizza is safe for people with mild gluten sensitivities, like myself, it is not recommended for people with Celiac disease. They have concerns that the crust can become contaminated from being processed in the same facility as products that contain gluten.

Now my question is this, is it wise or fair to say that this is gluten free Pizza? If you are using the same tools to dip the gluten-free flour as you are using to dip regular wheat flour, mixing the dough on the same board with wheat flour, how can you call it gluten free? I liken it onto making a batch of peanut brittle, then making a dish in the same pot, roll it on the same board and cut it with the same knife you used to make the peanut brittle – without washing. That would be instant Anaphylaxis for someone with a peanut allergy. We definitely won’t call that peanut free.

Domino’s worked with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness to verify the GF-friendliness of product and train its staffers on issues related to gluten and those with sensitivities. The company’s efforts earned it an NFCA Amber Kitchen Designation, a standard developed by the Ambler-based foundation to help consumers identify restaurants that have taken steps to accommodate gluten-free eaters. The rating means ingredients are verified gluten-free and restaurant staff has been trained to understand issues of gluten sensitivity. But the NFCA website states: “Kitchen practices may vary with this designation … meaning those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity should ask questions and exercise judgment when dining at an establishment with an Amber Designation.”

I think it’s a good thing that Domino's has tried to accommodate those of us who cannot tolerate gluten. I commend them for trying. If you’re the pizza eating sort and mildly gluten sensitive, then this is a good thing for you.  My one advice… when eating out anywhere, eat at your own risk.

View the video below to hear what Domino’s has to say about their new gluten free pizzas.