“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”
– Bill Vaughan
I laughed when I read the above quotation. I believe that the only way to deal with pessimists is by smiling and not saying a word. Trying to see their points of view is a waste of time. I would like to think of the New Year as a time for a bright new start, filled with new beginnings, harmony and good health.
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Vintage power on display at Saskatchewan tractor pull
At the Ag in Motion farm show held earlier this year near Langham, Sask., a vintage tractor pull event drew pretty significant crowds of show goers, who were mostly farmers.
Part of my new beginnings, was to read a book called, YOU: On a Diet Basics by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen.
In their book, the doctors explain why the body stores blubber and how cutting just 100 calories a day can help you lose a pound per month. That small daily cut can help you develop a lifelong diet strategy.
People who cut back more calories put themselves at risk of being yo-yo dieters. It is not about dieting, but rather changing the way you eat, and learning what your body needs. Here are some highlights from the book:
- Take stock of your pantry.
The first ingredient to avoid is hydrogenated oil, which often masquerades as partially hydrogenated oil. Roizen said we should also eliminate sugar and high fructose corn syrup from our foods. “We eat 63 pounds of (high fructose corn syrup) a year, which puts 33 lb. on the typical American,” he said.
Next, try to avoid enriched foods, and look for whole grain items. Whole grain pasta, breads and brown rice will add nutrition to your meals.
A healthy kitchen with nutritious choices requires you to take time and read the ingredients on the label and check how much saturated fat and sugar is in the food.
Buy foods that contain less than four grams of saturated fat and less than four grams of sugar per serving.
Snack foods to keep on hand are apples, carrots and nuts. Hunger can sometimes be confused with thirst so keep cool fresh water convenient at all times.
- Start off right.
Studies show that people who take time for breakfast are thinner.
Roizen said people should try to automate their breakfast and lunch.
“Why we get so fat is we have so many choices … we want one of everything.” Roizen said you should have the same thing or the same small variety of things every day. Oatmeal, whole grain cereals and egg-white omelets are smart choices.
Try a fruit smoothie for those who need to take breakfast with them. Add some ice, water or juice and fresh or frozen fruit and enjoy.
Add yogurt, flax oil, psyillium seed husks and protein powder to make the meal nutritious and full of fibre. My kids have the following smoothie for breakfast.
1/4 cup frozen strawberries 60 mL
1 large ripe banana (or other
fruits of your choice)
2 tablespoons orange 30 mL
juice concentrate
1 teaspoon psyillium seed 5 mL
husks
2 tablespoons protein 30 mL
powder
Peel banana, break into chunks. Put all ingredients in a blender. Add two cups (500 mL) water and ice. Cover, blend until fairly smooth.
Note: Psyillium seed husks and protein powder are available at some grocery stores and health food stores across Canada. Ask if you need information.
Slow cooker pasta sauce
Serve vegetables and dip while you cook the pasta if your family simply can’t wait to eat, or add a green salad to make the meal complete. My children always want sliced bananas topped with ice cream after they finish their pasta, in moderation of course.
1 jar pasta sauce 739 mL
1/2 pound extra lean 250 g
ground beef
1/2 cup washed and drained 125 mL
lentils
1 cup sliced mushrooms 250 mL
1 medium green bell pepper,
sliced
1 cup grated cheddar 250 mL
or mozzarella cheese
Brown meat in a skillet until no longer pink. Drain and place in the slow cooker. Top with pasta sauce, lentils, mushrooms and peppers; cover with lid. Cook on low for six to eight hours (or on high for three to four hours).
Serve over cooked pasta of your choice. Why not try using half whole grain pasta for added nutrients? Sprinkle with grated cheese.
The cost of debt
Long after the festivities are over, the credit card statements arrive and many Canadians find themselves dealing with holiday debt. That debt and the anxiety that comes with it can be bad for your health.
According to Statistics Canada, per person debt doubled between 1982 and 2001, due to dramatic increases in both mortgage and consumer debt.
The Vanier Institute of the Family’s latest report says that “it’s time to ring the debt alarm bells” because financial stress can lead to personal bankruptcy, relationship problems and mental health issues like depression or even suicide.
“Often people don’t know that they are in financial difficulty until it is too late.”
According to Laurie Campbell, executive director of Credit Canada, there are six warning signs of debt stress:
- You are only able to make the minimum payment every month.
- You are borrowing from one credit card to pay another.
- You are using credit for everyday expenses such as groceries because you don’t have money in the bank.
- You run out of money a few days before every paycheque.
- You are receiving collection calls.
- You are fighting with your partner or spouse about finances.
Keep debt under control
To start, sit down and take a good hard look at your expenses and see where you can cut back. Plan to pay off debt on the highest interest credit card first. Then, review the situation on a monthly basis to make sure you’re making progress.
If the situation is so severe that you can’t manage on your own, contact a non-profit credit counselling service in your community and speak to its staff who can review your financial situation and outline options.
Source: The Canadian Health Network.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@
producer.com.
