Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Learning from your grandparents could save your life

Sunday, February 3rd, 2013

by Catherine Haug, February 3, 2013

As a kid, I used to follow my Dad around the house and yard, watching (and little did I know, learning) what he did. My Dad was in his 60s; when he retired, he became the homemaker and my Mom became the provider, managing our bar. Having been a bachelor until 1946 (he was 55),  he only knew homemaking the old-fashioned way that he had learned from his Victorian-era parents.

It turns out, these were things that made for a rich and healthful life, and if we would return to at least some of these old-fashioned ways, our lives would be richer and more healthful, according to Dr. Alexandra Carrasco. Read on for more. (more…)

GMOs – The Tipping Point Network (TPN) Informational Flyer

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

Frankenfood

by Catherine Haug, February 2, 2013

(image, right, used by permission from Organic Consumers Association)

Don’t know what GMO is and why you should be concerned? See my earlier posts:

Or see Institute for Responsible Technology, or their Tipping Point Network. See also flyer GMO Tipping Point Montana Contact Flyer-3 (pdf)

Right now, GMO is not required on labels, so it’s not so easy to spot these foods. The key is knowing what else to look for on the label that hints at GMOs. For example, any processed food (boxed, canned, etc.)  containing corn, soy or canola ingredients is highly likely to contain GMO. To learn more, see the Non-GMO Shopping Guide (pdf).

But the sure way to know when a food contains GMO, is to require it on the label. If you are in favor of mandatory labeling of any food containing GMO ingredients, listen-up. ESP is working on a future event to educate people about GMOs and their harm, and about the GMO-Labeling effort. It’s also about how to increase awareness in our own community about the harm of GMO foods. Meanwhile, you can help.

Last month, a group of Montanans got together to launch a GMO-Awareness effort across our state, as part of  The Tipping Point Network. TPN aims to get enough states to require labeling of GMO, that our federal legislature will have to follow suit. And that requires enough people to understand the issue, and to get an initiative on the ballot – or otherwise to pressure the state legislature into passing such a law.

We now have a flyer providing contact information for the Montana TPN group, and contact info so people can learn more about GMOs. Print the flyer GMO Tipping Point Montana Contact Flyer-3 (pdf), then post it in your neighborhood, at your church or community center, or at favorite businesses in the valley (with their permission).

Help yourself and your family too; print out the Non-GMO Shopping Guide (pdf) which can help you to avoid GMO foods.

10 Surprising Ways to Strengthen your Health

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

by Catherine Haug, February 1, 2013

How many times have your heard that coffee (or chocolate, or alcohol) is bad for your health? Do you believe it? Do you say ‘moderation in all things?’ or ‘You gotta live while you can?

The January-February AARP newsletter had an interesting article by Nissa Simon: 10 Tips for Better Health, and what they say may certainly surprise you. (more…)

Event Notice: Security and medical response systems, by Vic Kautzman, Feb 21, 2013

Friday, February 1st, 2013

by Catherine Haug, Feb 1, 2013, from Bigfork Emergency Response Team (BERT)

  • What: BERT hosts a presentation by Vic Kautzman, Security Consultant with Federal Protection of Montana. Vic will discuss the changing environment around us and how it relates to the benefits of a security system.  He will explain the types of devices, approximate system costs, monitoring, and expected response times.  He will also discuss the medical personal response systems available.
  • When: Feb 21, 2013, 7 PM – 8 PM
  • Where: Bigfork Middle School Cafeteria
  • Who: Free and Open to the public – all are welcome
  • For more information: Contact Beverly, (406) 420-2210

BERT Mission: Raising awareness and planning for emergencies in the Bigfork, Montana area.

 

MSG: The harm and its other names

Friday, January 25th, 2013

Accent2 seasoningby Catherine Haug, January 25, 2013, updated Dec 9, 2013

You are probably familiar with Ac’cent, a seasoning that contains MSG (image, right, from What’s Cooking America). It brings out the flavors in food, and brings a meat-like flavor to vegetarian dishes. But for many people, it causes headaches and other symptoms that have been dubbed ‘Chinese restaurant syndrome,’ after eating Chinese food and certain processed foods.

I recently discovered the deeper harm of MSG: food sensitivities to foods like whey or rice protein powder, nutritional yeast. These symptoms were similar to what is described for celiac disease, and I’ve had to give up these foods because the sensitivities could not be cleared.

But, you ask, I use protein powders; why doesn’t it say MSG on the label? The answer lies in biochemistry. Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids, including glutamic acid. The processing of foods like whey, rice, egg and soy to make the protein powder, breaks down the proteins into peptides, amino acids, and protein ‘isolates.’ This process releases glutamate, the salt of glutamic acid, in the form of MSG. Because it is not ‘added’ to the product, it does not need to be listed on the ingredients label.

When it is added to foods, the companies have learned to give it other names so it is not recognizable as MSG. Read on for more on the harm of MSG, and the alternate names by which MSG is disguised in processed foods.

(more…)

The importance of dietary magnesium

Wednesday, December 26th, 2012

by Catherine Haug, December 26, 2012 (also added to catsfork.com/CatsKitchen, 6/19/21)

Last year I wrote His & Hers: Matters of the Heart (5) about my Christmas 2010 heart attack. I had all the classic heart attack symptoms (chest pain, neck pain and numbness of my left arm), and the emergency room said I had elevated heart enzymes that indicated a heart attack.

But I later learned that mine was a ‘false’ attack because it was not caused by any obstruction or clot in my arteries, as my arteries were clear and there was no muscle damage. Mine was caused by cardiac spasms – spasms of the muscles in my arteries due to lack of magnesium that normally keeps them relaxed and humming.

While this explains why I was not laid up by my attack, nor suffered debilitating damage, it was still serious and could lead to more damaging problems if I didn’t take action to restore my magnesium levels.

It’s also important to note that false heart attacks are not the only consequence of low magnesium levels. (more…)