Appreciate Clothes

My Head vs The Ice (Spoiler: The Ice Won); My Concussion Story

5:30 am: I awoke to a text message saying schools were closed. Since I knew ice could be the problem, I got up to watch the news. Accidents and slide-offs all over.

6:45: I texted my son to be careful on his way from work. (Third shift)

7:30: I left for work after checking the ice situation on the driveway. Definitely a glaze, but didn’t worry too much. I even wore my flat shoes instead of boots. There was hardly any snow, so I never even thought of it.

Traffic moved slow, but people were smart on the ice. Mostly moved at 40-45mph in a typically 55mph zone.

8:15 Stopped at Starbucks. On my way back to the car I thought, “This might have been a good day to use the drive-thru,” as I navigated the glazed parking lot.

North of town the traffic moved a bit faster at 60mph on the highway.

8:45 I arrived at work. The parking lot was covered with snow and a layer of ice. I slightly slid sideways into my parking spot. Ah-hah. Be careful getting out.

I prayed, out loud even, “Lord, I’m afraid of falling. I know fear is not of You, but I have it. I also have faith that You will help me. Please just hold me up so I don’t fall.”

I made a trip into the building, taking small, careful steps with my purse and coffee. Made it in!

“Thank you, Jesus! Now I need to make one more trip to the car to get the rest of my things. Please just hold me up.”

Made it back to the car, grabbed my tote bag, laptop and bowl with my lunch in it.

“OK, Lord, now is when I need You, because when I close this door it might throw my weight and I don’t want to fall. Please just hold me up.”

Holding everything in my left arm, I closed the car door. Still standing.

“Thank you, Jesus. Just hold me up so I can get in the building.”

I took maybe three steps.

BAM!

Before I even knew what was happening I was landing on the back of my head. No time to scream. No time to try to grab for balance. No time to put arms out to stop myself. Just landing on the back of my head.

“Owww…Owww… Owww… Owww… Owww…,” on the ice for about 20 or 30 seconds.

I sat up and said, “God, you didn’t hold me up.”

While still sitting on the ice I texted my pastor, “I fell on the ice. Please check on me.”

I was scared. I know it’s not a good idea to be alone after hitting your head and I had no idea when Pastor planned to be in that day, so I asked hime to check on me in case I passed out or anything.

I managed to get in the building, and long story short, I called 9-1-1 so they could check me. They wrapped my head to hold a bag of ice in place on the goose-egg that had immediately showed up.

Pastor came and took me to ER. I checked out neurologically, so they wrapped my head with more ice and sent me home.

Pastor took me back to work, put me in my car, got my things from inside the church, and sent me home. In retrospect, driving that day was a very bad idea, but I made it.

And that’s where I would be for the next 9 weeks (and counting) - home.

The next week my doctor diagnosed me with a concussion, post-traumatic vertigo and told me not to go back to work for a couple of weeks. (Which has turned into a couple of months now, but I’m almost there!)

I had friends bring meals the first few weeks since it was too hard to stand and cook, and I got tired of take-out.

Most of the first 6 weeks was spent in my chair in front of the tv, resting and doing nothing. There were days I didn’t even get out of my pajamas. Normally I hate being in pajamas all day, but I just didn’t care. (No makeup most days either. Gasp!)

Driving was out of the question. I only started back driving a couple of weeks ago, and then only small trips on quiet roads.

My parents have been more than fabulous about taking me to all of my doctor appointments. I’m so grateful they like road trips because it’s quite a hike for them and time-consuming in their day. But when you have the best parents on the planet, it works in your favor!

(“Thank you, Mom and Dad,” just isn’t enough. I love their sacrificial love for me so much.)

February 8: I woke up at 3:00 am with the worst vertigo! I had some at the beginning, but never this bad. I was sweaty, nauseous and could hardly sit up to roll over. Same at 4:30.

At 6:00 my husband was getting his lunch ready for work. I texted, “Come back up here.”

I could barely sit up. I needed him to help me to the bathroom. He ended up staying home with me that day. Thankfully, I saw my doctor the next day which helped enough for me to be on my own.

By Saturday I was still quite dizzy. I went back to ER for a re-check. They did a CT scan and blood work.

The CT scan came back normal. No bleeding, no bruising.

The blood work showed hypothyroid. Not surprising. Doc diagnosed me with adrenal fatigue the week before.

So I’ve had some work to do and additional diet changes to my already increasingly restricted menu. If you’ve read me for awhile, you know I’ve already had to pare back some things. Now even more! But ultimately I want to be healthy, so I do what Doc says.

Last Friday I saw a neurologist. He said I’m normal!

Verified by two separate medical professionals, people! Normal! Hello!

Yesterday was the 9-week mark. I’m finally starting to feel my normal self again. I have energy. I’m driving on the highways a little more. I’m cooking dinner again. Shopping at the grocery store doesn’t bother me anymore. (Oy, the lights, the people, the noise, all the things to look at. Painful in the beginning.)

I still have to be careful about how I sleep, staying propped up because I don’t want the vertigo to come back. I still feel a twinge of dizziness when I roll over, but that will go away with time.

Somedays I wonder and ask God what the purpose is in all of this. Why did I have to fall when I asked Him to hold me up? Why did I have to sit alone - bored - in my house for the past 2 months? Why did I have to be dependent on so many others to help me? Why is this recovery taking so long?

But here’s how I know He held me up, just not in the way I expected.

The first time I went to ER, there was a 77-year-old woman who broke her arm falling on the ice. Thank you, Jesus, I didn’t break any bones.

The first time I went to ER, as I was leaving there was a woman about my age wheeled in holding a cloth on the back of her head. She fell on the ice too. She asked how many stitches I got. None! Never thought about that. Thank you, Jesus, I didn’t need stitches.

The same day I fell, my neighbor’s friend fell too. He broke the temporal lobe, stayed in the hospital overnight with vertigo and nausea, and had hearing loss for quite awhile. (I’m not sure it’s even back yet.) Thank you, Jesus, I didn’t break bones in my head or have hearing loss.

I didn’t lose consciousness, I never had vision or balance problems, I don’t have memory loss, I haven’t had cognitive issues.

There are so many more things I could have to deal with.

So here’s my bottom line to you. God may not always answer your prayer (“God, hold me up.”) the way you think He will, but He WILL answer your prayer in ways you may not expect.

He showed me how many people love, and are willing to serve me. Some not even being super close friends, but that’s what makes it all the more special.

I learned a long time ago, you find out who your friends are in a crises. I was surprised by a few of my friends who I didn’t know loved me so much!

I know this is a long post. Thank you for sticking it out and reading.

If you’ve had experiences with concussion, vertigo (check out the Foster maneuver), being homebound, dependent, bored, lonely, please leave your comments below and tell me what helped you get through it.

Be Real Health Journal: Christmas Discount

I saw someone on Facebook gleefully announce there are only 5 Fridays left before Christmas.

What? No, just stop it.

Really. Stop.

But it's true. Only 5.

So I wanted to connect with you and let you know about the special offer I have on my book right now. BeReal Health Journal: A Guide To Slowing Down for Better Health is only $11 from now through December 16. That's $5 off the cover price!

Just use the promo code HEALTHY17 at checkout.

Click here to order your copy, and get some for your friends and family as Christmas gifts. They're all going to want to get healthy after the holidays anyway, so why not get them started?

This would make a great devotional for you to do with a friend or in a group as we enter the new year.

But don't wait! This offer expires at 11:59 pm on Friday, December 16.

Click here to order Be Real Health Journal: A Guide To Slowing Down for Better Health, and use the promo code HEALTHY17.

Thank you for being a faithful friend and reader of my blog Be Real Health. You are a treasure and I couldn't do what I do without you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Weekend Reads

Photo: Drew Coffman

It's been super busy at my house this week. My daughter and her husband were finally able to move into their new home, prayer meeting Monday night, election returns Tuesday night, leaders meeting Wednesday night, and here it is, Thursday afternoon, and I'm finally able to sit down to write.

Hurry up, inspiration, where are you?

**crickets**

Ever have weeks like that?

In my rush to write with limited time, I have no deep words or encouragement or inspiration for you. Ideas, but not time to develop them.

But I have friends who did, so I'm going to share some of their work this week.

I hope that's ok with you.

Finding Sanctuary: Christmas, Philip Stephen Allen

I've sharedPhilip's music with you before, and I still have codes left if you haven't gotten your free download from him. Let me know.

Philip just released his new Christmas album this week, Finding Sanctuary: Christmas. Oh. My. Goodness! LOVE! Naturally, it's beautiful, soothing piano music. Get your download here for only $8, or wait a couple of weeks for the CD for only $12. Both come with other bonuses.

Lost In Translation, Jeff Blackburn

"You might find yourself in a parking lot…risking conversation with strangers because you are desperate for help. And you might cry…not because they have the all the answers…but because they saw you. They heard you. They touched you. And they cared."

What Can You Change Today, Nancy Bouwens

"In a culture which feeds selfishness it will take a collection of intentional choices each day to create a way of living where you are not sucked into the vacuum of an out of balance life."

Buying Dirt, Joshua Mikeworth

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field." [Matthew 13:44] I'm buying dirt. With everything I've got. Because that's where the lasting treasure is.

Are We A Moving Target, Doris Swift

"Our mission may not look like Esther’s, but it’s every bit as important. Keep seeking the face of God, keep persevering in the face of persecution, and keep serving to glorify Him."

Why This Isn’t Goodbye

Photo: Viktor Hanacek

Last week I had the opportunity to attend Storyline Conference in the Chicagoland area. I went last year and it was life changing; it was again this year.

We heard from so many amazing people who are living incredible stories. Please check out I’ll Push You (inspiring 5-minute video) and Jeremy Cowart (oh man, watch his TED Talk at the bottom the page!) and Bob Goff (and more) - you’ll be inspired too!

One of the breakout sessions I attended was with Joshua Becker. You’ve heard me mention him before. I had the privilege of having lunch with him in Nashville in August, I’ve talked about his blog becoming minimalist, and he has just launched The Hope Effect. (Don’t forget I need your help with that! I’m trying to raise $1200 for orphans.)

While Joshua didn’t really say anything I haven’t already heard him say, or have read on his blog, his story struck me in a deeper way this time. 

Living minimalist isn’t just cleaning the clutter out of our houses, but also out of our lives. I’m cleaning apps off my phone, unnecessary events from my calendar, relationships that don’t build me up or encourage me.

(I’m also cleaning out closets and drawers!)

The conference, paired with discussion with my traveling buddy, Nancy Bouwens from An Intentional Life, makes me believe God is leading me in a new direction.

While driving to church last week I thought about how the trees let go of their leaves in the fall, but it’s only for a season. The leaves will come back better and more beautiful in the spring. But if the trees don’t let go of the leaves, there’s no room for something new - there’s no growth.

For a season I need to let go of some “leaves”. They’re pretty leaves and I love my leaves, but just for a season I need to let them go. In the spring they can bud and be beautiful again. The only thing is, I don’t know what they will look like.

What I’m saying is, I’m going to take some time away from blogging.

One year ago after the Storyline Conference, I set out to write once per week, every week for this blog. I’ve accomplished that goal. I’ve told a story in 2015 that I wanted to tell, and I’m proud of myself for doing it!

Now, after Storyline 2016, I don’t know where God is taking me. I don’t know what story He wants me to tell this year. But I do know that my calendar is too full. My self-imposed schedule is too much for me to maintain. I’m making myself nuts with things I wonder if are really the most important things in my life to focus on right now.

So, for a season, I’m taking time off. I’m going to read the stack of books that I haven’t had time for. I’m going to coffee and lunch with people who love me the most and mean the most to me. I’m going to spend extra time with my princess granddaughter.

I’m going to be less of a slave to social media and spend more time connecting in real life and making memories for myself and my family and friends.

I’m going to take time to really listen to what God has for me and which direction He’s taking me.

I’m just going to slow down and rest.

I love writing and I will be doing lots of that as well. Maybe some of it will end up on this blog or in your email on occasion. Maybe I’ll be back with an entirely different blog in the new season. I don’t know.

So, this isn't goodbye, just a see you in the figurative spring.

Thank you for being faithful friends in this little community. You can still always reach me via Twitter and Facebook - I would LOVE to hear from you. ANYTIME!

Now go live your life and tell a great story!

What You Need to Know: A Helpful Magazine

In August, I had the privilege to meet 

Joshua Becker, author of becoming minimalist. (See below)

Do you ever have one of those weeks where time gets away from you? There's no creativity flowing? The Muse has gone on vacation?

That has turned out to be this week for me.

I have something written that I was going to post today, but it just didn't come together the way I had hoped. I love the theme of it, so it will be posted at a later date.

And since my time ran out to start over with a whole new idea, I decided to share a few things with you from around the web that I feel would be interesting to you. I hope you don't mind - just this one time. Or maybe more if you guys love this. Let me know in the comments.

Creating an Attitude of Gratitude | Nancy Bouwens, An Intentional Life

Are you ready for your life to change just by being grateful?

Fixing Chloe | Philip Stephen Allen

When I met Philip a couple of months ago he shared this story with me. It has stuck in my heart ever since. (I hope he's not creeped out that I keep sharing it with people!)

The Unmistakable Freedom of Contentment and How To Find It | Joshua Becker, becoming minimalist

Six keys to further develop contentment in your life.

What It Means To Be Enough | Melissa Camara Wilkins

You are enough. It doesn't matter what you do, what you've accomplished, or that you are perfect. You just are enough.

Pesto Caprese Chicken in Foil | Damn Delicious

Because I will eat anything caprese!

Stormy Situations | Pastor Judy Hemmila

Do you trust Jesus in your stormy situations? This is a great devotional from my pastor.

Because of 9/11

Photo: Jake Rajs

Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I was the wedding coordinator at my church and only worked in the office on Tuesdays. 

We gathered for staff devotions at 8:30. Pastor Scott was running a few minutes late, so one of the other staff pastors encouraged us to find a place to pray. 

On the prayer list that day was an urgent request. The husband of Tammy Trent was missing. Trent and Tammy grew up at our church but lived in Tennessee. They were in Jamaica where Trent went scuba diving the day before. He never came up.

We each found a place, and with heavy hearts began to pray for Trent and Tammy and the family.

When Pastor Scott came in he asked for our attention and told us the news about the planes hitting the Twin Towers. 

We prayed for New York, we prayed for Trent and Tammy, then Pastor Scott allowed us to watch some news footage before returning to work.

I don’t remember if I saw it live - I think so  - we watched as one of the towers fell.

Our hearts fell along with it.

I was fortunate in my position as an independent contractor that I was able to go home. 

As I drove home everyone seemed to be so quiet. No speeders, nobody peeling out, just somber drivers.

I sat on my couch the rest of the day watching news coverage. Watching another tower fall. Watching people covered with dust walking through the streets of New York in shock.

I remember Ashleigh Banfield interviewing a fireman and asking someone to bring him water. I can still see the fireman’s face and hear the urgency in her voice.

And all I could say over and over was, “Unbelievable.”

While talking with my friend a couple of weeks ago, we discussed how we feel like we need to bring so many items with us when we travel. I mentioned to her that 9/11 changed the way I leave my house - every day. I always want to have snacks, a bottle of water and all of my devices and important things with me. I feel like I always need to be ready for a disaster because you just never know.

Irrational, I know.

This 9/11 anniversary reminds me to hug my family, friends and loved ones who mean the most to me a little tighter. I want to celebrate life - dance to the music, laugh until it hurts, say encouraging things to strangers, chase my dreams and live without regrets.

How about you? What is your story? What do you remember from September 11, 2001? How did it change you? Share in the comments below or via Twitter or Facebook. And thank you for doing life with me. I love having you in my little community!

Health Survey Results

Photo: Patrik Goethe

Thank you to everyone who participated in the health survey. Your responses are valuable to me and will help me to better serve you.

I want to share the results with you and would love to hear any feedback you have. Honestly, I was a little surprised (good and bad) at some of the responses.

This survey was very helpful to me and I will do these again in the future. Stay tuned so you can participate or sign up for my weekly email so you don't miss out!

Survey Results

89% are somewhat satisfied with their health

70% are not at all happy with their current weight

45% say exercise is very important to them

45% eat 3 - 4 servings of produce daily

32% eat 1-2 microwaveable or convenience meals per day

Only 26% drink over 50 ounces of water per day

36% are ages 46 - 55; 37% are 56 and over

75% are married

50% have children over 19-years-old living at home

Most appealing blog topics are:

Food/Nutrition: 84%

Recipe/How To: 68%

Spiritual Growth: 58%

Read my previous post: Celebrate God in the Little Things

Happy Easter!

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope your day is filled with lots of love and joy from your family and friends. And chocolate!

Thank you for supporting my blog and the work I do! You guys are awesome!

Happy 2015

My prayer for you, sweet reader, is that this will be the best year of your life! 

Thank you for continuing to read my blog, even though I've slacked in writing. But I have plans for more articles this year, so watch this space on Friday mornings! 

As always, I'd love to hear from you with comments or questions!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

May your Christmas be filled with love, 

laughter, family and lots of happy memories 

as you celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus!

Super Bowl Party Checklist

Super Bowl XLVIII is tomorrow. Are you ready with your game-snacks? Here are a few fun tips from Pete Holmes! Kale and Kombucha?

Read my previous post: Cleaning My Closet: A Spiritual Lesson
Read my next post: Vegetable Lasagne

Important Announcement (Please Read)

(c) 2007, Kathy Fannon

I've decided not to focus on starting a health coaching business. 

Did that get your attention?

It's true. I'm not. 

So what AM I going to do? And what about this blog? 

I'm going to maintain this blog but I'm not quite sure yet what it will look like. I will continue to post recipes, health tips and reviews just as I have been, but the frequency may be less often and the content slightly different.

I've spent many years wondering what my purpose is in life; aways looking for something great and fabulous to do to contribute to society. 

I've worked as a wedding coordinator, a secretary, an administrative assistant and volunteered in many ministries at church over the past twenty years. 

But each time I find myself back at home wondering what I'm supposed to be doing. What's the next job? Where is the next ministry opportunity? Where can I contribute to feel "important"?

In the spring of 2010 an opportunity came along for me to become a certified health coach. I've always had an interest in nutrition and was seeing a health coach myself at the time. I wanted to do what she was doing because it was interesting and she was helping people. 

I earned my certification in July of this past year, 2011. 

I loved that they taught us how to run a business and work for ourselves. The Institute for Integrative Nutrition gave us all the necessary forms, handouts and more to be successful. I had never thought of working for myself, but the idea sounded fun. 

Part way though the program my classmate (and good friend asked) me what I saw myself doing. Honestly, I saw myself working for a doctor, not myself. I discovered I'm not good at working for myself; I get too easily distracted. I can focus for awhile, but when I get up to go to the bathroom I end up letting the dog out, checking the mail, starting laundry, loading the dishwasher then looking for a snack. Before I know it an hour has passed and it takes a long time for me to get my head back into work. 

Thus, I find myself more productive when I work for somebody else. But at the moment there really aren't opportunities for health coaches to work in doctors' offices. 

And while this blog was supposed to be a tool to help me launch my health coaching business, it hasn't been very successful. I had one client at the beginning of last year, but there hasn't been an interest since. 

So once again I found myself wondering what "great" thing I'm supposed to do to contribute to society. 

I may have found my answer. 

A few months ago I added "The Legacy of Home" to my Google Reader. I read Mrs. White's posts here and there and thought how lovely that she likes to clean. 

A couple of weeks ago I really dug into her blog. I spent a couple of days bouncing around it and reading different posts. I loved it. She's so content and peaceful being at home and taking care of her family.

I learned that being a homemaker IS contributing to society. By being around for the kids when needed is a tremendous blessing and a honor that shouldn't be taken lightly. 

Society has taught women that being at home means you're lazy and selfish, among other things I'm sure.

But women who spend their time at home create a haven for their families. It's (hopefully) a peaceful, loving place for them to come to at the end of the day after being out in the world. It should be a place of refreshing and nourishment so they can feel loved and let go of their stress.

But how can they feel peace and let go of stress if there is so much work to be done if Mom works outside the home all day too? Dishes, laundry, vacuuming, starting dinner; it all leads to chaos if everybody has to help. 

I've decided, after reading Mrs. White's blog that I have found my purpose, and it's been right here all the time. 

While I don't like the term homemaker, and I definitely don't like housewife (I'm not married to my house), this is what I want to do. 

Yes, my youngest is about to graduate high school, but that doesn't mean I no longer need to create an environment of peace and love for my husband and children. The need is as great as ever. 

I'm blessed that my husband likes me at home. I've had a couple of job opportunities that would have taken me out of the house for second shift hours. Each time he's been supportive of whatever I wanted, but he always made it ok for me to stay home, too. I appreciate that about him. 

I recognize how blessed I am that I don't HAVE to get a job to help pay bills.

So I've decided that I will no longer feel guilty or unimportant for being at home. It's where my calling is. It is my full-time work and I gladly accept it. I don't care what society says, or even what my friends say. I am doing something great and I am contributing to society. I'm not lazy and I'm not selfish. Nor am I wasting my life.

Maybe someday God will see fit for me to have an "outside" job, but if not, I will be content at home.

So, while at one time this blog was a tool in helping me to promote my health coaching business, I will now just use it to share health and nutrition information. I would still like to have a ministry using my health coaching skills, so I haven't given up on that dream, but it will look different than what I thought when I first set out on this adventure. 

Thank you for being a faithful reader of this blog and I hope I continue to inspire and encourage you through it. I believe this also is my contribution to society. Health and nutrition are important and if I can help you eat and live a little bit better, then I've done my "job".

With my "new" adventure comes a new blog. I started Nostalgic Tour to be a place where I can share the things I love and that interest me, the things that go beyond health and nutrition. Please find me there and subscribe. I would love to stay connected with you!

And please check out Mrs. White's blog, The Legacy of Home.

Continue to Be Real!

Read my previous post: Best of 2011: #1 What Is It
Read my next post: Sweet Potato Kale Pizza

Best of 2011: #1 What Is It

As 2011 comes to a close, I conclude my review of the top 10 posts of the year.

Today is the last day to participate in the poll on the right sidebar if you haven't yet.

The number one most viewed post of 2011 was What Is It from March 18, 2011.

I believe the reason this was the most viewed post of the year is because on October 11, 2011, Snack Girl posted a comparison of two different cereals (one being Quaker Oatmeal Squares), then asked if we had tried either one and what did we think.

Since I had done this post I added a link to it in her comment section rather than type out a long answer. I received over 300 views from that! I had no idea it would draw so much traffic to my blog!

Please check out Snack Girl. She has a fabulous site!

I will resume blogging sometime next week. Happy New Year!

********************

This is not an all-inclusive list, nor are the facts within each item all-inclusive, but I did find this interesting as I did some research on a particular food item this afternoon.


Vitamin E Acetate: One of the principle differences between vitamin E acetate and the oil forms of this vitamin is that the former has no immediate antioxidant properties.


People interested in raising their consumption of vitamin E through food should be advised that as much as 90 percent of the vitamin is lost in cereals that have been refined.


Vitamin A Palmitate: Vitamin A palmitate is a synthetic version of the vitamin A that occurs naturally in animal food sources. It was developed to fortify low-fat and fat-free dairy products, whose natural vitamin A has been stripped away in the fat-removal process. Palmitate originates in palm oil but undergoes so many chemical changes that the result can barely be called a derivative of the oil.


Sodium Ascorbate: Because sodium ascorbate contains sodium, this form of vitamin C should be avoided by those following a low-sodium diet. [In regards to supplement form.]


Maltodextrin: Maltodextrin is a processed additive and is classified as a sweet polysaccharide. Maltodextrin is an artificial sweetener that is made from carbohydrates from starchy foods like corn, potato or rice.


Some of the side effects can be in allergies, skin rashes, itching, wheezing, asthma, bloating, digestion problems, insulin spike (which can lead to excess storage of energy in the form of fat leading to unhealthy weight gain), headaches, upset stomach, dizziness, fatigue and more.


It is better to avoid long term use of this alternative sweetener to prevent any health complications.


Calcium Carbonate: Calcium carbonate is widely used medicinally as an inexpensive dietary calcium supplement. This is not quality calcium.


Yellow # 5 (Tartrazine): This product has been banned for usage in Norway, Austria and Germany. It is extracted from coal tar.


Tartrazine appears to cause allergic and intolerance reactions, particularly among asthmatic.


A variety of immunologic responses have been attributed to tartrazine ingestion, including anxiety, migraines, clinical depression, blurred vision, itching, general weakness, heatwaves, feeling of suffocation, purple skin patches, and sleep disturbance.


Certain people who are exposed to the dye experience symptoms of tartrazine sensitivity even at extremely small doses, some for periods up to 72 hours after exposure. In children, asthma attacks and hives have been claimed, as well as links to thyroid tumors, chromosomal damage, and hyperactivity.


BHA (A Preservative): Can cause cancer.


Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow): Sunset Yellow is a sulfonated version of Sudan I, a possible carcinogen, which is frequently present in it as an impurity. Sunset Yellow itself may be responsible for causing an allergic reaction in people with an aspirin intolerance, resulting in various symptoms including gastric upset, diarrhea, vomiting, and swelling of the skin. The coloring has also been linked to hyperactivity in young children.


As a result of these potential health issues, there have been calls for the withdrawal of Sunset Yellow from food use.


On June 30, 2010, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) called for the FDA to ban Yellow #6. The CSPI said, "These synthetic chemicals do absolutely nothing to improve the nutritional quality or safety of foods, but trigger behavior problems in children and, possibly, cancer in anybody."


BHT: Preservative; certain people should avoid



Would you like to guess what this popular food item is? (Remember, this isn't an all-inclusive list, but other ingredients include whole wheat flour, whole oat flour, brown sugar, molasses and salt.)


What is it? Quaker Oatmeal Squares


Try this quick, easy and healthy alternative to boxed processed cereals! Pumpkin Coconut Multi-Grain Crockpot Oatmeal is warming to the body in the cold winter months. Want an alternative for summer? Try my Granola Peach or Blueberry Breakfast.

Read my previous post: Best of 2011: #2 Burrito in the Buff
Read my next post: Important Announcement (Please Read)

Best of 2011: #2 Burrito in the Buff

As 2011 comes to a close, I continue my review of the top 10 posts of the year.

Please be sure to participate in the poll on the right sidebar if you haven't yet. 

The number two most viewed post of 2011 was Burrito in the Buff on April 12, 2011.

********************

(Click on photos to enlarge; all (c) 2011, Kathy Fannon)

I didn't want to call this a naked burrito, lest I trample on somebody's copyright, so I'll call it "Burrito in the Buff". (Because there's no tortilla shell.)

From start (pouring water to start the rice) to finish (putting it all together on the plate) took a little more than 45 minutes. It may have even gone quicker if I wasn't trying to take these amazing photos to share with you. (Where's an emoticon when ya need one? Insert *wink* here!) Point is, it's fairly quick and very easy to put together, it's healthy because it's homemade and it tastes WONDERFUL!

The first thing I did was start the rice because it takes the longest to cook (45 minutes).

Once the rice was cooking, I got the chicken cleaned and in the oven to bake for 25 minutes.

While the chicken was baking I chopped some cilantro. I used about 30 stems (leaves only). The chopped cilantro went into the pot of rice toward the end of cooking, along with the juice of 1/2 lime. 

(I bought 2 limes to use for Burritos in the Buff.)

I sliced my avocado and pitted it. See how my knife is resting in the pit? Carefully whack it and give it a turn and the pit comes right out.

I mashed the avocado with some Pink Himalayan sea salt and a squeeze of lime juice to keep it from turning brown.

Plain Greek Yogurt instead of sour cream (much healthier and tastes about the same)

Mozzarella cheese (because my men like it)

Store bought salsa

Normally I prefer to make my own salsa, but this dinner was a last minute idea, so I bought the fresh stuff.

To make your own salsa: Roma tomatoes (seeded, chopped), onion (chopped), cilantro (chopped), juice of one lime, salt and optional garlic (It's best when it sits overnight)

I had also gotten corn but forgot to make it. Oops! So that would be a yummy topping with the salsa as well.

Baked chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, Fajitas seasoning and fresh squeezed lime juice. (Add the lime juice when the chicken comes out of the oven.)

I use these organic tortilla chips that don't use genetically modified corn. When you buy tortilla chips be sure they don't contain partially hydrogenated oils.

It's very hard to find a can of beans that don't have salt (or sugar) added, but Kuner's brand doesn't, and I like that. Be sure to heat the beans!

Rice with cilantro and lime juice. Really, the rice would've been better if I had done it an hour or more ahead. It reheats really well and eating fresh cooked rice right away tends to be stickier. But it was still delicious!

I chopped about half a chicken breast for each burrito. (I actually made one more cut in this piece before making a burrito for my son.)

To put the burrito together, layer: rice, beans, chicken, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, cheese. Serve with the tortilla chips and more salsa, yogurt and avocado for dipping if you'd like, but be careful not to eat too much! (We prefer to use the chips as a fork!)

Does anybody need me to type this out in a more conventional recipe form? I'd be happy to, but this is pretty much what I did and how I did it. Easy!

Read my previous post: Best of 2011: #3 Jesus Said It, Why Do We Doubt It

Read my next post: Best of 2011: #1 What Is It