Martha A. Cheves's Blog, page 48

Bounce - It's not just for your laundry.

Summer is just around the corner and that means the bugs will be coming out.  I ran across this list of uses for Bounce dryer sheets that, to me, is worth giving a try.
1.  The U. S. Postal service sent out a message to all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow-jackets away.  I did ask my mail carrier and he said this is true and that it does work.  Gonna give this a try.2.  It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them.  It also repels mice. Bet you could put a few around the picnic table to keep ants away and maybe even flys.  It is worth a try. 3.  Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting.  It will keep the mice from entering your vehicle.  Not sure if they are talking about vehicles and trailers that aren’t in use but I would think so. 4.  It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don’t get opened too often.  I will say this works.  I buy books from Estate sales and never know if the previous owner was a smoker.  Putting just a small piece of this in the book takes away all odors so I don’t smell cigarette smoke if it’s there.5.  It repels mosquitoes.  Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.  This does work.  I use this last year when I would go for walks.6.  Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen by wiping it with a Bounce.  This one I haven’t tried and probably won’t.  I’m afraid that some of the residue on the Bounce might come off on the screens.7.  Dissolve soap scum from shower doors.  Clean them with a sheet of Bounce.  It doesn’t exactly tell how this is done but I may try wetting a sheet to see if it works.8.  To freshen the air in your home place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.  I think this would work pretty well in a drawer but I’m not sure how long the scent would last in a closet.  Worth a try.9.  Put a Bounce sheet in the vacuum cleaner.  This sounds possible so I’ll give it a try.10.  Prevent thread from tangling by running a threaded needle through a sheet of bounce before you begin sewing.  I think this would work a lot like wax and can see it working.11.  Prevent musty suitcases by placing a sheet inside empty luggage before storing.  I can see this working.12.  To freshen the air in your car place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.  This too I can see working, especially in the summer when the car heats up.13.  Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan.  Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight and sponge clean.  The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and pan.  This is interesting.  I want to give this a try with one of my casserole dishes.14.  Eliminate odors in wastebaskets by placing a sheet at the bottom of the basket.  I can see this working with a wastebasket that is used for paper products only.  Just not sure how long it would last.15.  Collect cat hair by rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce.  It will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.  I don’t have a cat but I’m sure that if this works it will work on dog hair too.  Possibly even human.16.  Wipe blinds with a sheet of bounce to prevent dust form resettling after dusting.  If this works it would sure lengthen the life of blinds, at least for me.  I don’t wash my blinds.  Due to their low cost, I just replace them.  This would give my blinds a longer life before replacing.  I will give this a try.17.  Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering.  A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.  That sounds like something worth trying.  I wonder if it will collect dirt that doesn’t quite make it into the dust pan.  18.  Eliminate odors in dirty laundry by placing a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the hamper.  I can see this working with clothes but I’m not so sure it would work very well with anything damp such as towels.  But it might.19.  Deodorize shoes or sneakers by placing a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.  Now this is a great idea!  I will try this tonight.20.  Golfers put Bounce sheets in their back pockets to keep the bees away.  If it works for the mail carriers it should work for golfers too but I’m not sure I would have thought about them.21.  Put Bounce sheets in your sleeping bags and tent before folding and storing them.  It will keep them smelling fresh.  This would probably be good to do even when in use to keep the bugs away.22.  Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe love bugs off easily.  I could have used this a few years ago when I drove from Florida to NC during the love bug season.23.  Put a sheet of Bounce in your suitcase when traveling, it will help keep mites or any other critters out of it.  While you are at it, travel with several sheets and run them up and down your bed linen before getting into bed, it will cause all the critters already in your bed to run.  Keep a sheet in your suitecase even after you have unpacked to protect your suitecases from bugs nesting in it.   I always worry about hotel beds and the possibility of bed bugs.  Hopefully this will be something to keep them away.
If any of you try any of these tips, please leave comments on this post for everyone to read.

I Didn't Know That - Good Fats vs Bad Fats

For years I’ve heard people talk about ‘good fats vs bad fats’ but never quite knew which was which.  Well, according to the American Medical Association, I have my answer.
Healthy Fats
Fats in food transport some vitamins through the bloodstream and help your body store energy.  They make food taste smooth and creamy and help make you feel full.  Oils from nuts, seeds, and vegetables as well as fats from seafoods provide healthy benefits and can reduce your risk of heart disease.  These fats, known as unsaturated fats, are usually liquid.
Monounsaturated Fats – Olive, canola, and peanut oils are the main sources of monounsaturated fats, and the healthiest fats you can eat.  The lower LDL (the so-called bad cholesterol) and raise HDL )good cholesterol) I the blood, helping lower heart disease risk.
Polyunsaturated Fats – These fats, which are essential for good health, include corn, sunflower, safflower, flaxseed, and soybean oils, as well as the oils in fatty fish such as salmon.  Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, they lower total cholesterol (but also cut HDL cholesterol).
Plant Sterols – Nuts, seeds, and many other pant foods contain substances called plant sterols that slow the absorption of dietary cholesterol and can lower LDL and total cholesterol levels in the blood.  Soft margarines and salad dressings with added plant sterols are available in most stores.
Harmful Fats
Foods high in saturated and trans fats can increase your risk for heart disease and some forms of cancer.  These kinds of fats are usually solid and semisolid at room temperature, although they may turn liquid when heated.  It’s not possible to avoid all harmful fats because they occur in many foods, but it’s best to cut back wherever you can.
Saturated Fats – Plentiful in met, dark-meat poultry and poultry skin, butter, full-fat dairy products, coconut oil, and palm oil, saturated fats increase total blood cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol.  Limit these fats, along with trans fats, to no more than 8 to 10 percent of your total daily calories.
Trans Fats – Stick margarine and shortening contain hydrogenated oils that raise total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.  Called trans fats, they are also common in packaged and processed foods, baked goods, and fried foods such as French fries.
Cholestero l – Egg yolks, liver, shellfish, and full-fat dairy products are rich in cholesterol, which can raise blood cholesterol, which can raise blood cholesterol, although it does not do so in all people.  Saturated and trans fats have a great impact on blood cholesterol than does dietary cholesterol.

  

I Didn't Know That - Apples

According to the U.S. Apple Association, these are the top 10 varieties of apples produced in the U.S.

 Red Delicious is full-flavored, sweet taste and crisp texture.  They are best for fresh eating and snacking.Golden Delicious have a smooth, sweet taste and tender texture.  They are best for eating raw, cutting up in salads and making applesauce, cider, pies or other desserts.Galas are crisp and snappy with a mellow sweetness. They too are good for eating fresh or in salads and sauces.Fuji is a sweet-tart apple that stays crisp for weeks.  The Fuji is a good all-purpose apple that’s best for fresh eating, salads and applesauce.Granny Smiths are crisp with a sour apple flavor.  They are probably the best all-purpose apple.McIntosh apples are juicy with lightly tart flavor and fresh apple aroma.  They are great in applesauce, cider, salads or for fresh eating.  They can also be used in pies.Rome apples are mild, sweet flavored and have a firm texture.  They are mostly used for baking.Ida Red has a tangy-tart flavor that is good for sauces, pies and dessertsJonathans have a juicy flavor with a spicy tang and tender texture.  Their main use is for fresh eating and cookingEmpires are sweet-tart in taste and extra crispy.  Great for fresh-cut slices, candy and caramel apples, baking and make great lunch-box snacks.Apple facts –
Apples are fat-free, sodium-free and cholesterol-free.Apples are a great source of fiber.  One medium apple has 5 grams or 20% of the daily fiber requirementsWhenever possible, don’t peel the apple.  Two-thirds of the fiber and many of the antioxidants are found in the apple’s peel.Prepare apple dishes just before serving to minimize browning.  You can also protect cut apples from browning by dipping them in a solution of one part citrus juice and three parts water.Fruit bowls are beautiful, but they’re not the best way to store apples.  To maintain their crispness, keep apples refrigerated.Buy shiny apples.  If they appear dull, they won’t be crisp and tasty.Store apples away from vegetables with strong odors.  The odors will alter the flavor of the apple.Jonathan apples have a white flesh that maintains its shape well during baking and cooking.Rome Beauty apples cook up quickly and are great for making applesauce or apple butter.Golden Delicious apples are best in salads because they don’t darken after slicing.   They also give apple pies a tangy-sweet taste.

I Didn't Know That - Acidic Foods

Another problem I seem to have with my stomach is heartburn after eating acidic foods.  So, what do I do when I want that slice of orange or glass of juice?  Here is what I found.

Even if you have the best intentions, many healthful fruits and vegetables, like oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and tomatoes, may increase your risk for acid reflux and GERD due to their acidity.  The best way to prevent this is to remove acidic foods from your diet but if that just isn’t going to happen and you still want to eat these fruits and vegetables once and awhile, don’t do it on an empty stomach.  Other foods, especially carbs, will absorb some of the acids and help prevent some of the heartburn.  But don’t overeat them no matter what you’ve already eaten.  
I may not give up my favorite foods completely but at least I know I can eat them in moderation and along with something some of my favorite carbs.  

I Didn't Know That - Coffee

How it affects you:  This energy hero can quickly become your GI tract’s worst enemy.  In fact, according to the American Chemical Society, nearly 40 million people in the United States refrain from drinking coffee – or as much coffee as they would like – due to stomach irritation.
Coffee doesn’t just wake up our mind, it also stimulates acid production in the stomach, which can cause inflammation and result in heartburn and GERD.  What’s more, caffeine acts like a diuretic, which can cause dehydration and, ultimately, constipation.
If you’re like me, I don’t want to give up my morning coffee, so what can we do?  This is what I found – limit caffeinated coffee to one cup.  If that isn’t possible, limit to one caffeinated cup every two hours to allow your body time to process the caffeine.  It’s important not to drink coffee on an empty stomach, which can increase indigestion.  It’s recommended that we add something that’s easily digestible, like a banana or bran cereal at breakfast, to reduce the symptoms. 

This answers why my stomach has a bit of irritation in the mornings but can I manage make myself actually eat something before or at least with my morning coffee?  Not sure but I’ll try.

Fish Facts - Part 4 (final)

Sole
According to Dr. Smith, “when it comes to your heart, forget the sole (and flounder).  Although this flatfish isn’t particularly detrimental, it doesn’t boast many advantages either.  Sole has one of the lowest concentrations of omega-3s and therefore offers the least nutritional benefits to Baby Boomers.  Instead, swap for fish with higher levels of heart-healthy omega-3s which significantly boost memory and recall, reduce inflammation and promote healthier heart function.


OK – We’ve read about the fish that is bad for us.  Now I want to know what fish is actually good for us.According to Dr. Brill, “there are plenty of fish and shellfish that have tons of nutritional benefits with minimal mercury.  Omega-3-rich fish and seafood that’s low in mercury includes wild caught salmon, shrimp, sardines, trout, herring, and oysters.”
It’s not only important to be aware of how fish affects your health, but how your seafood choices affect the environment.  Many irresponsible fishing practices have led to species endangerment and habitat depletion.  The Monterey Bay Aquarium has started working with fisheries and fish farms worldwide to maintain a “Seafood Watch” database.  This program considers habitat, species, management and other factors in order to recommend seafood “best choices” and “what to avoid.”   Hopefully the fish we consume in the future will be safer raised, caught and healthier for us to consume. 
Now, for my taste buds, I’m just out of luck.  I love all of the fish mentioned as being bad, except for the Farmed Salmon.  I only buy that which states that it is not farm raised or that it comes from deep ocean waters.  The shrimp and trout I love but anyone that wants can have my share of sardines, herring and oysters.  The worse part of these findings bring to light that no matter what, we’ll never know where our fish in the restaurants and stores truly come from.

Fish Facts - Part 3

Farmed Salmon
Another one of my favorite!  According to a report in Science, factory-farmed salmon*, which is raised on fishmeal and accounts for 80% of the market, has eight times more PCBs than wild caught.  The researchers said that if EPA standards could be applied to farm-fed salmon, it would trigger a warning to not consume it at all.  In order to protect yourself from PCBs, never eat salmon skin or the layer of fat beneath it.   *conditions and practices vary by farm, which can affect the PCB levels.
What is Farmed Salmon?  The most commonly farmed salmon is the Atlantic Salmon.  Salmon is usually farmed in 2 stages and in some place maybe more.  First, the salmon are hatched from eggs and raised on land in freshwater tanks.  When they are 12 to 18 months old, they are transferred to floating sea cages or net pens anchored in sheltered bays along a coast.  They are fed pelleted feed for another 12 to 24 months, when they are then harvested.  Norway produces 33% of the world’s farmed salmon, and Chili produces 31%.  The coastlines of these countries have suitable water temperatures and many areas are protected form storms.  Chile is close to large forage fisheries which supply fish meal for salmon.  Scotland and Canada are also significant producers.


Tilapia
This freshwater favorite has a mild flavor and is very versatile, but unfortunately, the benefits end there.  Most tilapia is farm-raised and fed a steady diet of corn which, in turn, affects its nutritional content.  Jeffrey Anshel, O.D., F.A.A.O says “Despite what we think, corn is not a vegetable, but actually a grain that has a high glycemic rating.  This means that it spikes your blood insulin, which is especially a problem for diabetics.  Addionally, tilapia has the highest level of omega-6, the pro-inflammatory fish oils.  Omega-6 can exacerbate heart disease, arthritis, asthma, and other overactive inflammatory responses.”

According to Wikipedia, Tilapia from aquaculture (farmed) has been shown to contain more fat and a much higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 oils.  I’m assuming this is due to their feeding and lack of activity.

Fish Facts - Part 2

Tilefish, Swordfish, Shark and King Mackerel
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends eating fish with mercury levels that are less than 0.5, but each of these exceed that number.  Tilefish (1.45), Swordfish (0.995), Shark (0.979), and King Mackerel (0.730).  The EPA suggest you never eat either of these fish more than once a month.  According to Charlie Seltzer, MD, Anti-aging Specialist, “regular consumption can cause mercury toxicity, which can lead to severe memory, hearing, speech, vision and coordination issues.
Tuna
This is one of my favorite so it was with great disappointment that I found it as one of the bad fish.  It can be consumed but very carefully.  Due to its extensive appeal and widespread availability, most canned tuna manufacturers depend on longline fishing for hefty hauls.  According to Dr. Seltzer, “big fish eat small fish.  So the top of the food chain, including adult albacore, has higher levels of contaminants from the fish below them.  Troll or pole fishing tend to catch younger fish with lower levels of mercury so check the packaging of your canned tuna to make sure that it has not been caught with a longline and be sure to eat no more than one 6 oz. serving per week.”
So what is a longline? It uses a long line, called the main line, with baited hooks attached at intervals by means of branch lines called snoods.  A snood is a short length of line, attached to the main line using a clip or swivel, with the hook at the other end.  Longlines are classified mainly by where they are placed in the water.  They can be at the surface or at the bottom.  Lines can also be set by means of an anchor, or left to drift.  Hundreds or even thousands of baited hooks can hang form a single line. 

I checked the cans of tuna I have in my pantry and none of the 2 brands tell how their fish is caught, nor where, and both brands are 2 of the leading.  

Fish Facts - Part 1

I seldom eat red meat but do love chicken and seafood/fish so when I ran across an article about there being fish that are bad for you, I immediately had to read.  This is what I found in the article.  It is rather long so I’ll break it down into several parts.
#1 – Unlike other meats, fish’s nutritional value varies wildly by species and habitat, so it’s important to do your research.
#2 – According to registered dietitian and founder of 360 Family Nutrition, Kristen Smith, “not all fish offer the same health benefits.  Be sure to look for varieties that contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.  That is the ‘healthy’ fat source that can help reduce inflammation, prevent heart disease, and improve brain health.”
#3 – She also says “More importantly, you need to know which varieties to avoid.  Because fish live in polluted waters, they often contain dangerous chemicals like mercury and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) which concentrate up the food chain through a process called bioaccumulation.”  PCBs are chlorinated chemicals that were outlawed in the ‘70s, but since they don’t break down easily, they’re still pervasive in our waters.  She goes on to say “Exposure to PCB is associated with a greater risk of neuropsychological impairment.  People over 50 who consume fish contaminated with PCB have a greater risk of decline in memory and increase in depression, which can adversely affect physical health and ability to function.”  With that said, experts in the health community continue to debate the harmful effects of PCBs, some taking the stance that the levels at which we ingest them are too low to be worrisome. 
#4 – Mercury is released into the water form industrial sources burning fossil fuels and solid wastes.  According to certified nutritionist and dietitian Janet Brill, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N. “Nearly all fish contains a small amount of mercury, but contamination becomes a problem when high levels accumulate.  Exposure to too much mercury can damage the nervous system and up your risk of dying from heart disease.

After reading this I had to find out which fish were safe to eat and which weren’t.  I’ll be breaking this down into several segments so continue to follow to see if you’re eating the healthy fish and not the unhealthy.  There are 8 that I’ve found we should avoid and consume in low doses.

Leek, Broccoli, Potato Soup

This dish turned out to be one that I could eat every couple of days.  It has leeks, broccoli and potatoes.  It doesn't get any better.   It is so good and so easy to make.  Find the full recipe at Martha's Recipe Cabinet.