Better Teeth

Over the years, I have experienced a number of dental problems and, as a result, have a few crowns and missing back teeth. I do not enjoy going to the dentist, but I visit him regularly, floss, and use Sensodyne toothpaste.

In a recent column, Dr. Oz provided a few additional ways of protecting our teeth and gums from decay and infection.

• Use tap water instead of bottled water. The former has more enamel-protecting fluoride than store-bought water.

• Eat apples and celery; both contain substances that fight gum disease.

• Low-fat yogurt is good for our gums. Japanese researchers fond that people who eat about two ounces of sugar-free yogurt a day are less likely to have severe gum disease.

• Avoid pop and sports drinks. The acid in these drinks erodes tooth enamel.
  

• Consider diet cranberry juice. There are ingredients in cranberries which keep cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to teeth and also inhibit the inflammation of gum disease.
  

Sharing Recipes--Peanut Butter and Jam Muffins

These moist and peanut buttery muffins are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Enjoy!


Ingredients

1 egg
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp strawberry jam
2 tbs smooth peanut butter

Procedure

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use a wire whisk to beat the egg, 1 cup peanut butter, and oil in a large bowl.
• Add the sugar and mix well.
• Gradually add the milk.
• In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the peanut butter mixture and stir until moistened.
• Spoon enough batter into each of 12 paper-lined muffin cups to cover the bottom of the cup.
• Spoon the jam and remaining peanut butter into each of the cups.
• Cover evenly with the remaining batter.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes 12 muffins

Nutrtiton at Tim Hortons

While travelling up to Northern Ontario, I like to stop at one of the many Tim Hortons along the way. I was happy to learn that a Nutrition Guide is now available at these popular eating places.

A detailed chart provides information on the serving size, calories, protein, fat, and vitamin content of the different snacks and baked goods. I also liked the following helpful hints:

• Try a soup that is low in fat like Chicken Noodle.
• Low Fat muffins contain only 2.5 grams of fat.
• Any size Iced Cappuccino made with milk or chocolate milk contains less than 2.5 grams of fat.
• Bran and whole wheat muffins are high in fibre.
• Yogurt and berries is a source of calcium.
• Order a Breakfast Sandwich on a low-fat bagel like Wheat 'N Honey.
• Three filled or yeast Timbits contain fewer than 200 calories.
• Try 2% milk or 1% chocolate milk instead of cream in your beverage.

Source: Tim Hortons Nutrition Guide

More Blessed

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the millions who will not survive the week.

If you have never experienced the dangers of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people around the world.

If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost 3 billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish some place, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over 2 billion people in the world who cannot read anything at all.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

Anonymous

Sharing Recipes--Carrot Muffins

These muffins are an excellent source of Vitamin A and a good source of dietary fibre.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup natural wheat bran
1/2 cup oat bran
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter (or margarine)
1 1/2 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup raisins

Procedure

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  

• Combine flour, wheat and oat brans, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.

• Blend in sugar until no lumps remain.

• In a separate bowl, beat together egg, milk and butter. Stir in carrots.

• Combine with dry ingredients.

• Add raisins. Stir until just moistened.

• Spoon into greased muffin tins.

• Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes 8-10 muffins.

Dieting on a Budget

When reading labels, it is important to be aware of what each label really means. This is especially true for dieters looking for reduced calories and fat.

Calorie Reduced: This food has at least 25% less calories than the regular version.

Low Calorie: There are no more than 15 calories per serving.

Low Fat: There are no more than 3 grams of fat per serving. This does not always mean low calories.

Reduced Fat: This food has at least 25% less fat than the regular version.

Low Cholesterol: There are no more than 2 mg of cholesterol per serving. This food might still have a high total fat content.

Low in saturated fat: This food has 2 grams or less of saturated and trans fats combined per serving.

Sugar Free: This food is low in carbohydrates and calories.

Unsweetened or No Sugar Added: No sugar was added, but sugar may be found naturally in the food.

Source of fibre: There are 2 grams or more of fibre per serving.

Sodium free: There are less than 5 mg of sodium per serving.

Source: Health Canada

Keeping Your Idenity

When identity thieves go through the garbage of potential victims, the only tools they need are a pair of gloves and a flashlight. They wait until it is dark and then start looking for any documents that have not been shredded.

It is important to destroy (tear or shred) all personal information before discarding it. What you throw away can come back to haunt you.

Identity thieves are looking for...

Credit card receipts: Many businesses no longer print the entire credit card number on receipts, but some still do. Check your receipt very carefully. Do not leave it behind if it lists your credit card number.

Financial statements: Any statements that contain your account number and SIN must be shredded.

Preapproved credit card applications: An identity thief can retrieve these applications from your trash, send it in with the address changed, and received the new cards in your name, based on your credit. After receiving your card, he charges items to its maximum and then tosses the card. You are left with the bill.