Gluten Free and Food Coloring?

By Martina Berger

Gluten Free doesn't mean your food has to be a dull and gray! Many brands of food coloring and liquid flavoring are gluten free. McCormick or Wilton, All Tone and Durkee are just a few of these brands that are easily found in your local grocery store.

We've tried it all and prefer, above all else, the food dyes from Maggie's Naturals. Not only are their colors gluten free, but also all natural and organic in base ingredients. Best of all, they have a bouquet of colors and taste great!

We know this Gluten Free rainbow tastes good, but is it really good for you? Unfortunately, just because something is gluten free doesn't necessarily mean it's healthy for you. Usually, though, organic is a safe bet health wise.

It's always better for your body to digest something Mother Nature put together especially for you, her favorite dominant mammal than something "created" in a lab by a repressed dietician with who knows what sort of motivation.

There are so many articles linking food dye/coloring with preventable diseases that it's proper motivation to take the extra steps to ensure that what you're eating not only tastes great, but is great for you.

Childhood is so great because kids don't, and shouldn't have to, worry about internal organ damage and all that other stuff which is mostly about taking proper care of their little soul containers so they'll last them a long happy time. That's a hard concept to get across. A Flameball Orange ice cream tongue is not only cooler, but easier to see, touch, and has major bragging rights attached.

This is why parents have to be the ones to pay attention to what is going into their kid's bodies via the eating tubes. Next time they are begging you for some brightly decorated treat, remember that most companies are not concerned about what they're selling you, just so long as they can get you to buy it. So pay attention to labels above all else.

Some really terrifying information about kid foods and their dyes:

Blue Dye #1, aka Brilliant Blue is commonly found in snacks, sauces, candies and soft drinks. It can cause Cancer, ADHD, Rhinitis and Asthma

Green Dye #3 aka Fast Green is found in sauces, icings, baked goods, gelatins and also in some vegetables. It has been linked to Bladder Cancer and Allergies.

Orange B is found in sausages and hot dogs. Can be the cause of Allergies, ADHD and also Kidney Damage.

Red Dye #3 or Erythrosine is found in popsicles, candies and baked goods. It has been connected with Chromosomal damage and Thyroid Tumors.

Red Dye #40 known as Allura Red AC is used in common snack foods (such as the popular Goldfish!), is found in sauces, candies and soft drinks. This color has been connected with ADHD, Cancer, Asthma, Rhinitis.

Yellow Dye #5 or Tartrazine is found in candies, jams, cake mixes, cereals, snacks, and instant noodles. It has been connected with ADHD, blurred Vision, Anxiety, Migraines and Asthmatic Attacks. (You should think twice, when you buy your kids favorite breakfast cereal which contains this dye!)

Yellow #6 aka Sunset Yellow is found in sausages, gelatins and baked goods. This dye can be the cause of Adrenal Gland and Kidney Tumors.

Competition in the food market is only increasing and so the demands on a company to make a decent profit is a scary incentive to overlook the not so hot safety value of a product in the hopes that by costing less and by being appealing, the product will sell well. This is bad news for us, the ones who might actually be eating the stuff.

FDA does not stand for "Finally, Dependable Authorities!" The Food and Drug Administration is supposed to protect us by keeping dangerous foodstuffs off the shelves, right? Well, there's a problem here, or rather, there. Define "dangerous"? As a mom, I consider anything dangerous that can negatively affect the internal workings of my kids simply by eating it, right? Well if the FDA felt the same way there would be no food on the shelves. Their problem is they have to set the parameters and the definition of "safe" and that gets complicated, for them. Apparently.

Everybody is slightly different and that means everyone will have a slightly different reaction to a type of food. SO how can the FDA determine what is safe? They are forced to resort to statistics. What is the percentage of people negatively affected by this? Of them, how badly are they affected? Ect, ect, It is a no win situation because it's such a slippery slope.

The most infamous case of the FDA dropping the ball was in 1950 when many children became ill after eating Halloween Candy Containing Orange Dye #1. After rigorous investigations by the FDA, it was determined that the dye was responsible for poisoning all these poor little kids. (There was even Math to prove it.) And Red Dye #2 was banned as well as it was, surprise!, found to be carcinogenic.

Europe has its own processes for determining food safety and based upon what I've read, they seem to have a better system currently in place. Shockingly, many food dyes allowed in the United States are actually banned in Europe, so what does that tell us about our FDA? You decide.

Artificial dyes are not healthy for anybody, even if they are gluten free. The easiest way to ensure they don't end up on your pantry shelf is to shop in stores that refuse to even stock products made from them, such as our beloved Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market. If you don't live close to such a store, please take the time to read the labels on any dyes you are interested in buying.

In conclusion, YES! there are healthy gluten free food dyes available, and within easy reach, for you and your family!

About the Author:

Dr. Berger is a biologist and a specialist in Food AllergiesOnce her son wasdiagnosed with gluten intolerance she created a website for parents with kids allergic to food. If you are interested to read more about Food Allergies and Food Coloring than go to her website - www.gfreeharmony.com

Learn These Fitness Tips Before You Begin a Fitness Program

By Dominick Sheik

There has been much concern by health professionals about the obesity taking place in America, for quite a few years now. Another trend, that is disturbing, taking place in other Western nations, is the increase in obesity in younger people. Children need their parents to be examples, who lead by their actions rather than their words. Finding a good fitness program is difficult, and making it a regular part of your lifestyle is even harder. To get the children to have the values of fitness put into their minds can be a challenge. This article will offer some helpful suggestions on a timely and important topic.

Have you been reading in the newspapers or online about some of the great physical feats that senior citizens have been achieving? For example, not too long ago a 100 year old person ran and completed a marathon. Have you heard of 74-year old Ernestine Shepherd? She's in the Guinness Book of Records. She's an award winning competitive bodybuilder and has the pleasure of being the oldest women ever to compete in that field. As you can see, using your age as an excuse to stay unfit is just that - an excuse. You can always improve your health and fitness level no matter what age you are. Nonetheless, check with your doctor before beginning any fitness regimen and take your age into consideration.

And so, proceed slow and easy. There's no hurry. There is one particular fact about your body; if you do not use it, then you will lose it. The two main things your body needs - each day - is food for your energy needs and exercise so you maintain your peak physical condition. Start with any type of exercise that grabs your attention. Then, listen to your intuition and you will be drawn towards the type of exercise routine your body craves.

To put it another way, not only will your physical body start to improve and feel better, but your mind will also benefit and your thinking will become clearer. In addition, when you perceive your muscles becoming stronger and more defined, and your energy level increases, you will be motivated to do even more.

It is becoming commonly accepted, due to scientific research, that your body is designed to heal itself. The exercises you do each day will begin the process of rebuilding your health and fitness. It won't happen if you don't do your part. One very important process that the body will initiate is detoxing your system of all of its accumulated toxins and poisons. Your healing will begin when your blood circulation starts improving, as well as your lymph system circulation. Keep in mind that you must eat properly, especially when you exercise, so your body has the nutrition it needs. When you plan a fitness regimen, it's imperative to include a comprehensive warm-up using stretches in order to prevent injuries. Cool-down stretches after your workout are just as important as the warm-up stretches you did before your workout. When you don't take the time to do everything in the proper order, you are inviting injury to your ligaments, tendons, and muscles. If you do workouts using the best exercise bike or other effective and flexible weight training machines, then you have more of a reason for stretching. It is well-known that working out with weights makes your muscles shorter. Don't rush into anything. Take your time and do whatever is necessary to ensure optimum health for yourself and maximum fitness for your body.

About the Author:

This kind of exercise bike where Mr. Dominick Sheik became popular can help those people who are hoping to become fit. He is knowledgeable when talking about indoor cycling and doing such muscle building like the upright exercise bikes.

There Are Diet Plans For Low Carbs That Are Simple But Tasty

By James Steele

That low carb diets are the way to go, is now the general consensus. This is an answer to the "no carb" diet fad that ran amok over the course of the new millennium (and the last decade of the previous millennium). If you want to know the truth, many people harmed their health by believing in the no carb diet. Good carbs, when they are eaten in moderate amounts, can take your overall health, and raise it up to a healthier level. There is a trick to switching diet plans, and once you know it, changing to low carb foods from high carb ones will be a snap. As long as you read the rest of this article, you'll learn a few hints.

You can't go wrong when you focus on vegetables. Compared to wheat and other gluten products, vegetables are significantly lower when it comes to carbohydrates. You should keep this in mind when you eat out or order food to go at a deli. Look for veggie based side dishes like salads and vegetarian options on the menu.

Not everyone realizes that vegetables contain carbohydrates, but in low quantities, and the healthy kind. Carrots, cauliflower and broccoli especially are great tasting, filling and low carbohydrate snacks.

If you use lots of dressing that's high in fat and calories, you're undoing the benefits of eating all those greens. Try oil and vinegar with a little sea salt and pepper. The nice thing is that there are so many varieties of salads and dressings that you could potentially eat a different salad for every meal for weeks without getting bored.

If you go on a low carb diet, you just have to change your perspective a little. You should get rid of the notion that eating any carbs at all is bad for you. The trick is to eat them in moderation and to get them from high quality sources such as whole grains. A doctor can also be helpful if you're going on a new diet and aren't sure exactly what you should eat. One or two consultations with a professional can help you get a clearer idea of what it takes to maintain a low carb diet.

About the Author:

James Steele is a well-known author, he has been writing different blogs on different topics like health,nutrition,supplements etc. Checkout his article on MLM Success tips and on Talk Fusion tips

Juicing Wheat Grass

By Larry Becker

Drinking the juice of fresh wheat grass is known to provide a boost to your immune system, thereby improving your health. By drinking the juice from wheat grass, it is possible to boost your immune system with a dearth of healthy nutrients as well as promote healthy cell growth and fight the growth of unhealthy toxins. To ensure you receive the wheat grass benefits you are seeking, you will need a juicing machine known as a wheat grass juicer because these are the juicers which extract the nutrients you require. You grow your own wheat grass at home for a super fresh juicing experience.

Grow Your Own You can grow fresh wheat grass to have on hand and juice it at the best time so as to obtain the greatest nutritional benefits possible. All you do is take 500 grams of seed, wheat grass seed that is, and soak it in water for about 8 hours. If you didn't want to plant them after an overnight soaking, you could put them out to soak in the morning and then plant them in the evening. It is best to plant them in a 20 x 10 x 2 inch seed tray and for the best results, try using an organic potting mix which is moist. Make sure the seeds are well covered with potting mix, water the seeds every day and make sure to cover the tray and place it somewhere dark.

Letting the Seeds Grow and Reaping What you have Sown You can grow fresh wheat grass to have on hand and juice it at the best time so as to obtain the greatest nutritional benefits possible. All you do is take 500 grams of seed, wheat grass seed that is, and soak it in water for about 8 hours. If you didn't want to plant them after an overnight soaking, you could put them out to soak in the morning and then plant them in the evening. It is best to plant them in a 20 x 10 x 2 inch seed tray and for the best results, try using an organic potting mix which is moist. Make sure the seeds are well covered with potting mix, water the seeds every day and make sure to cover the tray and place it somewhere dark.

Juicing Your Wheat Grass When you have harvested your wheat grass, rinse it right away and juice it right away. You can though, place any unused wheat grass in your refrigerator in an airtight container. Juicing wheat grass will require use of a juicing machine and the best one to use is a masticating juicer. Some appliances are not suitable and these include centrifugal juicers, blenders and food processors as they will destroy the chlorophyll. A wheat grass juicer is really just a different name for a masticating juicer. You should always drink the wheat grass juice as soon as possible but always within half an hour.

Don't do This Mold is not only harmful, but it spreads very easily so always check there is none on your wheat grass. Yellow sprouts are not fresh and you should fish them out before juicing to avoid a conflicting taste in the juice. Green sprouts are the best because they are fresh. Don't put it off, drink it right away. 30 minutes is the magic number before which the nutrients will break down so you can keep it refrigerated for that time or drink it right away.

About the Author:

Before you buy a wheat grass jucier, make sure you check out the jucier reviews on the Click Here.

How to Recognize and Overcome Obstacles to Fitness

By Tommy Harden

Many people have a goal of improving their fitness level, but something always seems to get in the way. It's easy to find excuses to not exercise like a lack of time, physical limitations, or no motivation. Here are some ideas to help get beyond typical obstacles to getting fit. You may be hindering your progress if you have not improved your eating habits.

If you continue to eats mostly junk food or sweets, you will mostly feel sluggish. You will also notice that you won't lose weight even though you're exercising. The exercise are probably effective but won't work unless balanced with a healthy diet. Cutting down on fast food, sweets, and processed foods will give you more energy for your exercises so you'll see more results. It's common for people to feel that fitness is no longer an option past a certain age.

Older people today no longer have this excuse, as it's been proven that exercise can help even people of advanced age to improve their health and how they feel. Doctors and fitness experts commonly advise older people to lift weights, as it's been proven that they can regain much of the muscle mass that people typically lose as they age. There are many types of fitness programs that are appropriate for older people, including weight training, walking and aquatics. This means that exercise and fitness are pursuits you can successfully begin at any age.

Many people quit when they don't see immediate results after starting out with unrealistic expectations. It will take more than one day to improve your health and fitness. It will take longer than you may expect to reach your goal, whether that's to lose a certain number of pounds or to build muscle. You will achieve your goal faster if you exercise as opposed to doing nothing.

Try to approach your fitness program with a "go with the flow attitude" rather than expecting specific results in a short time. There are all kinds of obstacles, reasons and excuses that can make it hard to exercise and work on getting fit. Yet, if you are committed to getting past these obstacles, you almost certainly can find a way. The ideas we've been discussing can help to get you past any fitness obstacles in your own life. No matter what your fitness level right now, you can work on making it better especially when you maintain having a bike tour exercise.

About the Author:

This kind of biking exercise where Mr. Tommy Harden became popular can help those people who are hoping to become fit. He is knowledgeable when talking about an indoor cycling and doing such muscle building by utilizing the upright exercise bikes.