Fitness and Freebies Blog

Fitness and Freebies Blog

Ginger Pumpkin Oatmeal

“Fall” into this classic breakfast treat with a seasonal touch!

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups fat free or lowfat milk
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup fat free or lowfat milk
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon crystalline ginger bits

Directions
In a medium saucepan, heat milk and pumpkin spice to a gentle boil. Add oats, return to simmer, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add pumpkin, vanilla, and brown sugar. Cook 1 minute to heat through, but not boil. Portion into two bowls, pour milk over top, and sprinkle with walnuts and crystalline ginger.

Makes 2 servings, 7 ounces of milk per serving.

Nutrition
350 calories; 5 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 16 g protein; 55 g carbohydrate; 6 g fiber; 265 mg sodium; 270 mg calcium (25% of daily value).
Nutrition figures based on using fat free milk.

September 29th, 2008 Posted by fitnfree | Kitchen Creations | no comments

Johns Hopkins Experts Want Warnings on Energy Drinks

Caffeine experts at Johns Hopkins call for warning labels for energy drinks

Caffeinated energy drinks may present health risks

Johns Hopkins scientists who have spent decades researching the effects of caffeine report that a slew of caffeinated energy drinks now on the market should carry prominent labels that note caffeine doses and warn of potential health risks for consumers.

“The caffeine content of energy drinks varies over a 10-fold range, with some containing the equivalent of 14 cans of Coca-Cola, yet the caffeine amounts are often unlabeled and few include warnings about the potential health risks of caffeine intoxication,” says Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., one of the authors of the article that appears in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence this month.

Read entire article.

September 29th, 2008 Posted by fitnfree | To Your Health! | no comments

Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting consumers that seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products manufactured in China are being recalled by the King Car Food Industrial Co. Ltd. due to possible contamination with melamine.  The products, manufactured by China’s Shandong Duqing Inc., are:

  • Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Mandhling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)

The FDA recommends that consumers not consume any of the above Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products. The FDA also recommends that retailers and foodservice operators remove the products from sale or service.

As of September 25, 2008, the FDA testing of milk based products imported into the United States from China has not found melamine contamination. 

The FDA is working with regulatory agencies in other countries. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority reports that its testing of White Rabbit Creamy Candies has shown melamine contamination at high levels. In light of the widespread contamination of milk and milk-based products in China and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority’s finding, the FDA recommends that consumers not eat White Rabbit Creamy Candy and that retailers and foodservice operations remove the product from sale or service.
To date, the FDA is not aware of any illnesses in the United States stemming from consumption of either White Rabbit Creamy Candy or the Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products.

Individuals who have experienced any health problems after consuming either White Rabbit Creamy Candy or any of the identified Mr. Brown coffee and tea products are advised to contact their health care professional.

Background

On September 12, 2008, in light of reports from China of melamine contaminated infant formula, the FDA issued a Health Information Advisory to assure the American public that there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell such products in the United States.  That advisory also warned members of Chinese communities in the United States that infant formula manufactured in China, possibly available for purchase at Asian markets, could pose a risk to infants.

The FDA had contacted the companies who manufacture infant formula for distribution in the United States and received, from the companies, information that they are not importing formula or sourcing milk-based materials from China. 

At the same time, the FDA—in conjunction with state and local officials—began a nation-wide investigation to check Asian markets for Chinese manufactured infant formula that may have been brought into the United States. In particular, this effort focused on areas of the country with large Chinese communities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and New York.  To date, investigators have visited more than 1,400 retail markets and have not found Chinese infant formula present on shelves in these markets.

The FDA also advises consumers not to purchase infant formula manufactured in China from Internet sites or from other sources. 

The FDA has taken, and will continue to take, proactive measures to help ensure the safety of the American food supply.  In conjunction with state and local officials, the FDA will continue to check Asian markets for food items that are imported from China and that could contain a significant amount of milk or milk proteins.  In addition, the FDA has broadened its domestic and import sampling and testing of milk-derived ingredients and finished food products containing milk, such as candies, desserts, and beverages that could contain these ingredients from Chinese sources.  Milk-derived ingredients include whole milk powder, non-fat milk powder, whey powder, lactose powder, and casein.

In addition to state and local governments, the FDA is working in close cooperation with Customs and Border Protection within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other federal agencies, and foreign governments.

September 26th, 2008 Posted by fitnfree | Food Alerts | no comments

Mom’s Food Products, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert

Mom’s Food Products, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Eggs in Sandwiches and Potato Salad

Mom’s Food Products, Inc. of Ft Worth, TX is recalling all Tuna Salad sandwiches, Pimento Cheese sandwiches, and potato salad because they may contain eggs in the salad dressing.  People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Product was distributed in the Texas area through retail stores or direct delivery. 

The tuna salad and pimento cheese sandwiches are packaged in black plastic wedges and the potato salad is in clear round containers included as part of Mom’s Big Sub sandwich packages.

There have been no illnesses reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that an ingredient change in salad dressing was not reported by Mom’s supplier.

The products involved are:
Mom’s Pimento Spread 5.0 oz black wedge (UPC 83898 00114)
Race Trac Pimento Spread 5.0 oz black wedge (UPC 83898 00114)
Crosby Food & Vending Pimento Spread 5.0 oz black wedge (UPC 83898 00114)
Outtakes Pimento Spread 4.0 oz black wedge (No UPC)
Mom’s Tuna Salad 5.0 oz black wedge (UPC 83898 00108)
Race Trac Tuna Salad 5.0 oz black wedge (UPC 83898 00108)
2 Podner’s Tuna Salad 5.0 oz Clam shell (UPC 83898 00108)
Canteen (Outtakes) Tuna Salad Croissant 4.5 oz Poly Sealed (No UPC)
Mom’s Big Sub with 4.0 oz Potato Salad round opaque container (No UPC)

Consumers who have purchased these items are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Consumers with questions may contact Mom’s Food Products at 1-800-743-0010.

Source: FDA

September 24th, 2008 Posted by fitnfree | Food Alerts | no comments

Healthiest Beverage Powerhouses

Drum roll…here are the top 10 beverages by their levels of disease-fighting antioxidants – and pomgranate juice came out on top. 

  1. Pomegranate juice
  2. Red wine
  3. Concord grape juice
  4. Blueberry juice
  5. Black cherry juice
  6. Acai juice
  7. Cranberry juice
  8. Tea
  9. Apple Juice

September 19th, 2008 Posted by fitnfree | Food Facts | no comments

Food Additives Turn Deadly

Ref:  Hong Kong recalls dairy products

Three infants are among those who died and thousands of others are ill after being fed tainted baby milk.

Suppliers are believed to have added melamine, a banned chemical normally used in plastics, to diluted milk to make it appear higher in protein.

The additive is blamed for causing severe renal problems and kidney stones.

Side note: Please, PLEASE know where your food is coming from when you purchase it in your supermarkets.  More and more we are learning that exported foods are often contaminated:

Health scares and fatalities in recent years have ranged from the contamination of seafood to toothpaste and, last year, to pet food exported to the US.

Back to additives…

I find this utterly horrifying, in light of the fact that we continually see manufacturer’s putting additives into the every day foods we buy all in the name of the latest health-news trend. 

For example, recently “fiber additives” have become popular in yogurts, ice cream, water, juice)  simply to allow the manufacturers to lay claim to their product providing fiber in your diet.  Yet when you read up on the additives, they are nothing like the fiber that is truly essential to our diet and can only come from healthy food choices such as legumes, fruit, etc.

Names of these fiber additives are inulin, maltodextrin, oat fiber and polydextrose.  These are considered “isolated fibers”.  Fibers from foods (fruits, vegetables, grains) are soluble or insoluble.

So the question is, are these added fibers all in the name of peddling products, really doing us any good? From what I’ve read thus far, the jury is out.  However, negative effects have surfaced. 

Inulin has been found to cause gas or other GI problems, especially at doses over 15mg a day.  Polydextrose can cause an unwanted laxative effect, especially to those who find they’re highly sensitive.

In summary: The labels on these foods using fiber additives look very convincing, but “fiber” does not always equal FIBER.  Be careful, and read those food labels when you see the claim of “added fibers”.

See also: 
Fight Back with Fiber
The Role of Fiber in Your Diet
Fitting Fiber into Your Day
Fiber: A Non-Nutritional Vital Nutrient
High Fiber Recipes

September 18th, 2008 Posted by fitnfree | To Your Health! | no comments

Using Herbs and Spices

The use of herbs and spices in cooking offers the chance to prepare exotic, gourmet dishes, or cultural meals and a way to cut or save calories and fat in cooking.  The calories in herbs and spices are far less than in breadings, batters, gravies, sauces and fried foods. Cost savings are realized by reducing the number of ingredients in preparation and/or by the possibility of dressing up inexpensive foods for a special meal.

Many people are looking for flavors to substitute for salt or sodium.  A teaspoon of most herbs and spices contains few calories and little or no sodium. Herbs and spices add zest and flavor to unsalted foods.

Definitions of Herbs and Spices

Definitions of herbs and spices vary somewhat but can be identified as follows:

Herbs are leaves of low-growing shrubs. Examples are parsley, chives, marjoram, thyme, basil, caraway, dill, oregano, rosemary, savory, sage and celery leaves. These can be used fresh or dried. Dried forms may be whole, crushed, or ground. Many herbs can be grown in the United States in or out of doors.

Spices come from the bark (cinnamon), root (ginger, onion, garlic), buds (cloves, saffron), seeds (yellow mustard, poppy, sesame), berry (black pepper), or the fruit (allspice, paprika) of tropical plants and trees.

Many dehydrated vegetable seasonings are available. These include onion, garlic, sweet peppers, mint, mixed vegetables, and freeze-dried chives and shallots.

Condiments are usually a combination of herbs and spices blended in a liquid form. Examples are prepared mustard, catsup, Worcestershire sauce, tabasco sauce, and many of the steak sauces and specialty vinegars. Many of these contain sodium.

Seasoning blends are mixtures of spices and herbs. Check spice companies for exact mixtures. Some examples of seasoning blends are:

  • Chili powder (red pepper, cumin, oregano, salt, and garlic powder)
  • Curry powder (coriander, turmeric, cumin, fenugreek seed, white pepper, allspice, yellow mustard, red pepper, and ginger)
  • Poultry seasoning (white pepper, sage, thyme, marjoram, savory, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg)
  • Pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves)

Storing Spices

Whole herbs and spices last much longer than crushed or ground forms. Many consumers prefer to buy the whole form and crush or grind as needed for greater freshness. Herbs and spices can be crushed with a mortar and pestle, by using a rolling pin with spices between two cloths, or by using the back of a spoon in a cup.

Check ground or crushed herbs and spices for freshness at least once a year. If no aroma is detected after crushing, the seasoning needs to be replaced. Mustard seed and poppy seed aromas will be difficult to detect. Buying the smaller size instead of the economy size container will save money if the large package is not used while it is still fresh.

  1. Store away from moisture. Dampness causes caking and a loss of quality.
    Store in tightly covered, air tight container.
    Use clean, dry spoons for measuring.
  2. Store in a cool place.
    Do not store in a window or in sunlight, or near heat sources such as the cooking areas or the dishwasher.
    In hot climates, store spices such as paprika, red pepper, and chili powder in the refrigerator to maintain quality.  

Enhancing Sweet Flavors
Enhance flavor with sweet tasting spices instead of sugar: allspice, anise, cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace, nutmeg. Milk-Yogurt-Cheese: custards, puddings, sauces Meats: beef, fish, poultry, sauces, bean dishes Vegetables: beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin Fruits: fruit compote, baked fruit, spiced fruit Breads: gingerbread, sweet yeast breads, pumpkin bread, banana bread, rice or bread pudding.

Enhancing Savory Flavors
Seasoned salts (garlic salt) contain salt. Most meat sauces (steak sauce, soy sauce) are high in sodium.

Make yogurt-based spicy dressings to use with salads and fruit dishes. The following spices are good to use as a substitute for salt/sodium and fat: basil, bay leaf, celery seed, chili powder, cumin, curry powder, dill, marjoram, mustard, oregano, paprika, pepper, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme.

You can use these spices with fondue, cheese spread, chowder, meats, souffles, curried dishes, beans and soups, salads, greens, tomatoes/juice, pasta salads, specialty breads, and rice.

September 17th, 2008 Posted by fitnfree | Food Facts | no comments

Western Family Variety Pack Instant Oatmeal Alert

Ralston Foods Issues Allergy Alert For Undeclared Milk Ingredients In Western Family Variety Pack Instant Oatmeal

Ralston Foods, Division of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. is recalling 14664 cartons of Western Family Variety Pack Instant Oatmeal cereal bearing the “Best If Used By” Date Code of “DEC0409N” (found on the box top) because a small number of cartons contain an undeclared milk ingredient. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk ingredients run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergenic reaction if they consume this product.

Western Family Variety Pack Instant Oatmeal cereal was distributed by Western Family Foods, Inc. to stores in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The product is packaged in cartons weighing 13.8 oz. containing 10 packets of instant oatmeal.

No illnesses have been reported to date, and no other products are affected by this recall.

The company has consulted with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the agency is aware of the company’s actions.

The recall was initiated after “fruit and cream” instant oatmeal packets were discovered in Western Family Variety Pack Instant Oatmeal cartons with the best if used by date code of “DEC0409N“.

Consumers who have purchased Western Family Variety Pack Instant Oatmeal cereal bearing the “DEC0409N” best if used by date code are urged to return it to the store from which you purchased the product for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call Ralston Foods Consumer Affairs at 1-800-725-7866.

September 16th, 2008 Posted by fitnfree | Food Alerts | no comments

Child Care and Unwanted Weight Gain?

Interseting article on unwanted weight gain in infants and how it may tie into child care choices. A couple excerpts:

Ref: Child Care May Lead to Unwanted Weight Gain in Infants

Infants cared for by caregivers other than their parents tend to gain more weight than children cared for by their parents, a new study says.

More and more evidence suggests that the threat of excess weight gain and obesity is taking hold in America’s nurseries, Katz said. “Studies show obesity emerging as a problem even in the first year of life. This, in turn, results in a higher risk of diabetes in youth, and lifelong obesity and its many consequences.”

September 15th, 2008 Posted by fitnfree | Weightloss Wisdom | no comments

FDA Issues Health Information Advisory on Infant Formula

In response to reports of contaminated milk-based infant formula manufactured in China, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today is issuing a Health Information Advisory. This is to assure the American public that there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell infant formula in the United States. Although no Chinese manufacturers of infant formula have fulfilled the requirements to sell infant formula in the United States, FDA officials are investigating whether or not infant formula manufactured in China is being sold in specialty markets which serve the Asian community.

The FDA is advising caregivers not to feed infant formula manufactured in China to infants. This should be replaced with an appropriate infant formula manufactured in the United States as mentioned below. Individuals should contact their health care professional if they have questions regarding their infant’s health or if they note changes in their infant’s health status.

The FDA began investigating the reports of contamination immediately and received information from the companies who manufacture infant formula for the American market that they are not importing infant formula or source materials from China. The following manufacturers have met the necessary FDA requirements for marketing milk-based infant formulas in the United States: Abbott Nutritionals, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Nestle USA, PBM Nutritionals, and Solus Products LLC. Also, one manufacturer, SHS/Nutricia, Liverpool, England, markets an amino acid based exempt infant formula that does not contain any milk-derived ingredients.

We are asking state officials to work with the Agency to assist with the removal of any Chinese infant formula found on store shelves, and to warn members of the Asian community to avoid using Chinese manufactured infant formula.

It has been reported that a number of infants in China who have consumed Chinese manufactured infant formula are suffering from kidney stones, a condition which is rare in infants.  The Chinese manufactured infant formula may be contaminated with melamine. Melamine artificially increases the protein profile of milk and can causes kidney diseases such as those seen in these Chinese infants.

FDA requires that all infant formula manufacturers register with the Agency and adhere to specific labeling and nutritional requirements.  All properly registered infant formula manufacturers marketing infant formula in the United States undergo an annual inspection of their production facilities.

Source: FDA

September 12th, 2008 Posted by fitnfree | Food Alerts | no comments