The Speckled Banana

Buy Fried Chicken, Cure Cancer

2010-04-21T19:55:00.004-07:00

There's no better way to spread breast cancer awareness than through our good friends at KFC. Susan G. Komen for the cure thought it'd be a good idea to team up with one of our favorite fast food giants (McDonalds still takes the cake) to raise money for a cure. I can't even comment on this collosal failure. There are truly no words to describe how I feel about this.

The Colonel looks pretty hot in pink, though - don't you think?

Boost Immunity With....Sugar?

2010-02-15T19:11:00.001-07:00

Whenever I got a cold or a sore throat as a child, I'd always refuse to take any liquid meds (such as NyQuil) and opted for relief through cough drops. As I think back, I remember downing those drops as if they were candy.

As I was browsing the aisles of Walmart this weekend, I stumbled upon some Halls Defense Vitamin C drops. On the bag it read, "Helps Support Your Immune System. 100% Vitamin C In Every Bag." Curious, I turned over the bag to check out the ingredients, and to my surprise (or maybe not), the first ingredient: Sugar. The second: Glucose syrup. No wonder why I could get through a fourth of a bag of drops in one sitting! I was literally eating candy.

What's sad is that ascorbic acid (vitamin c) doesn't appear until ingredient 5 or 6 out of 9! The "Vitamin C" is sandwiched between sugar and artificial colors & flavors. Some immunity booster!

Remember what I always stress, people. Read those labels!

Mercury in High Fructose Corn Syrup

2010-02-04T20:57:00.001-07:00

Just when you thought "food" couldn't get any less nutritious, it does in quite an alarming way.
That lovely viscous substance commonly known as HFCS has been found to contain detectable levels of mercury in it. High fructose corn syrup is in practically everything, which means... so is mercury.

Mercury, for the elementally challenged, is a naturally occurring substance that can cause serious neurological damage when eaten in large quantities. Considering that high fructose corn syrup is in just about every food carried in local supermarkets, you can see how easy it'd be to consume high levels of this element.

Check out this this list that shows common foods with the level of mercury detected in them. Quite scary! Quaker Oatmeal (really random, right?) tops the list with the highest detected levels.

Breast Reductions on the Rise.....in Men!

2010-02-02T20:15:00.001-07:00

You read correctly. Plastic surgeons are reporting that there has been roughly an 80% increase in "man boob" reduction procedures.

This cracks me up. I wish men would pay me several thousand dollars to make their man boobies go away. In fact, I could do it in half the amount without even touching them!

McIdiots Do It Again

2010-01-29T11:49:00.001-07:00

Our friends at the golden arches have really outdone themselves this time. I'll give you the cliffnotes version.

Over the past three years, this adorable teen named Lauren McClusky has put on a series of benefit concerts that she decided to name McFest. McClusky's McFest - makes sense right? Well, McDonalds isn't too pleased, and little miss Lauren has found herself in a McFeud. The burger giants are claiming trademark infringement because they pretty much believe they have rights to all things "Mc".

Lauren tried to protect the name, but McDonalds filed in opposition. Now a good portion of money that Lauren raised for Special Olympics is now going towards legal fees. :(

Seriously, McDonalds? Fighting with a teen who's actually trying to do good in the world? Really classy.

McBoycott, anyone?

Big Money In Hospital Births

2010-01-28T06:30:00.004-07:00

The other day, I watched a movie that I found to be an extreme eye-opener called The Business of Being Born. As its title suggests, birthing in this country is a BUSINESS.
This movie is available via instant play on Netflix and for a whopping $6 on Amazon.com
Remember Ricki Lake? She's in it! Check it out and let me know what you think.

More Business for Big Pharma

2010-01-23T05:35:00.001-07:00

Just what we needed right?

It looks like with teen obesity on the rise, we're seeing an increase in teen cholesterol levels too. It was inevitable. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Thursday that one in five American teens has unhealthy cholesterol levels (a major risk factor for heart disease in adults). Heart disease still remains the leading cause of death in the United States.

What does this mean? More clients for Big Pharma! I bet they're laughing their way to the bank now. Presently, there are quite a few drugs used to control cholesterol levels in adults - so why not use them for teens too?

Is anyone seeing the trend here? We know that those who are obese have a higher risk of having increased levels of "bad" cholesterol - in turn, putting them at risk of developing heart disease. Doesn't it seem more logical to target the obesity (the cause) than trying to alter the levels (the effect).
I suppose it make sense their way when money is more of a priority than the well-being of our country.

24 ways to improve your health and happiness in 2010

2010-01-13T12:03:00.002-07:00

Still trying to get a good start to your year? I found a great list of things to do to improve your health - courtesy of Mike Adams of Natural News. Which of these have you already started doing? Which do you think you'll adopt? Are there any that you can't imagine doing? Leave me a comment!

#1 - Replace sodas or soft drinks with tea or water.
#2 - Commit to eating one raw fruit (or serving of vegetables) at every meal.
#3 - Add just 5 minutes a day to your exercise routine. Don't have an exercise routine? Start with 5 minutes a day!
#4 - Get more sunshine!
#5 - Learn some Pilates. It's probably the #1 exercise system for core strength and flexibility.

#6 - Drink a superfood smoothie every day.
#7 - Buy more indoor plants: They purify the air in your home.
#8 - Take a quality, wild-harvested fish oil supplement that contains vitamin D.
#9 - Eat more quinoa: It's a high-protein, low-carb "grain" that can easily replace rice or couscous.
#10 - When you get out of bed each morning, do five sit-ups first. It sounds simple, but just 5 sit-ups a day can make a difference.
#11 - Instead of trying to find a parking spot so close to the grocery store, park farther away. You'll get a little more walking exercise and a little more sunshine.
#12 - Get a good water filter so you can stop drinking tap water (or bottled water).
#13 - Pick up a "gentle" art like Tai-Qi or Yoga. It will reduce your stress and improve your physical stamina.
#14 - Take a relaxing hot bath with epsom salts and soothing herbs like lavender. It will do wonders for your mind and your muscles.
#15 - Get a professional massage! Massage therapy is really, really healthy, and it's a great way to reward yourself for some of the other accomplishments you're making.
#16 - Grow your own sprouts! With a simple, low-cost sprouting machine, you can grow and eat your own sprouts. Eating just one ounce of sprouts a day still had a huge impact on preventing cancer and boosting immune function.
#17 - Prepare for a Spring garden. Sure, it's cold and snowy right now, but make a commitment to start a garden this Spring, and you'll reap many health benefits in the months ahead.
#18 - Get a mini-trampoline and do some rebounding in your living room. You can even watch movies or documentary DVDs at the same time.
#19 - Make a point to get at least eight hours of sleep for 2-3 nights a week (or more, if you can). Most people are sleep deprived, and the health cost is enormous.
#20 - Start visiting local farmer's markets so that you eat more local food in 2010. You'll be healthier and happier as a result.
#21 - Got a job you don't like? Quit it! Downgrade your lifestyle to live on less money, then pursue what you really enjoy. Being happy in a small house is better than being miserable in a big one.
#22 - Get off those medications! Make a point to learn how to safely and gradually get yourself off all the medications you can by eliminating underlying imbalances or illnesses. The fewer medications you take, the healthier you'll be!
#23 - Throw out your television! Are you still watching cable TV or satellite TV? It's a complete waste of your life (but you already knew that). Disconnect the cable. Read more books and get your information online where news sources are more independent and intelligent.
#24 - Make a decision to think of food as nourishment instead of entertainment. Eat what your body needs, not what your taste buds desire.

Cow Remains + Window Cleaner = A McDonalds Hamburger

2010-01-06T04:42:00.003-07:00

No, I'm not joking.

I'm so disgusted that I can't even type right now.

In a nutshell, burger giants like McDonalds and Burger King are purchasing "beef" (extra cow parts and trimmings) to use for their hamburgers. Before they get shipped off, they're injected with ammonia. You know...that stuff used in household cleaning products - mainly glass and window cleaner.

Surely, the USDA is outraged and is going to put an end to this ASAP, right? On the contrary, my friend. Ammonia kills ecoli, so this makes the beef safer to eat (according to them).

When are we moving out of the country again?

Speckled Pick! Tea Candy

2010-01-05T05:36:00.000-07:00

I have a serious sweet tooth and I love green tea, so you can imagine my excitement when I ran across a bag of what's called Tea Candy by Bali's Best at Whole Foods this weekend. With cane sugar, tapioca, tea extract, and natural green tea and lemon flavors as the top 5 ingredients, I definitely don't feel guilty about indulging.

I'll warn you, though- I was expecting Werther's Original-colored candy (as pictured on the bag). To my surprise, I was greeted with this with this really ugly hunter green color. It was sort of freaky, but the candy is pretty tasty. You should give it a try :)

Green Smoothie Recipe

2010-01-04T07:37:00.002-07:00

This is one of my favorite combinations.

I don't ever measure my ingredients when I make smoothies, so I'm totally making this up on the spot. Hopefully this doesn't taste horrible. Please give me feedback so that I can tweak if it does.

First, blend:
2 cups of fresh spinach (loosely packed)
1/3 cup apple juice (organic and not from concentrate, if possible)

Then, add and blend:
1/2 cup frozen bananas (or 1 raw banana...don't forget to peel it ;) )
1/2 cup frozen strawberries (frozen is key because it serves as your ice)
5 tablespoons ORGANIC yogurt (plain or vanilla)

Voila!

Again, don't come cursing me out if the measurements are totally wrong. I just toss stuff in my blender normally and it usually tastes delish.

Music Therapy

2010-01-03T13:36:00.003-07:00

Feeling stressed? Listen to music!

Listening to music does wonders to alleviate stress. Experts suggest that the rhythm or beat of music has a calming effect (even if we're not conscious about it).

Music has been found to reduce heart rate and promote higher body temp - an indication of the onset of relaxation.

I found a really fun mix (for those of you pop fans out there). It's essentially a mashup of the top pop songs of 2009.

Relieve some stress by partaking in some pop music therapy. Enjoy!

Would you like a side of diabetes with that?

2010-01-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

This seems like a no brainer, but for those of you who still insist on chowing down on a burger or fried chicken for every meal, chew on this...

Studies have shown (I could have told you this without the study, but people can't seem to function without proof) that regularly eating fast food can greatly increase your risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes (and becoming obese).

Reports reveal that African American women, in particular, that eat fast food burgers or fried chicken at least twice a week are forty to SEVENTY percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those women who did not consume those foods.

This seems to be pretty obvious, right? Then why on earth do fast food giants like McDonalds and KFC still have so much control over our food?! Clearly not enough people know that they are among the causes of America's diabetes and obesity epidemics. Spread the word.

Get Dirty!

2010-01-02T19:19:00.001-07:00

When my husband and I started talking about health and children, I'd always tell him that I planned on giving our children dirt as soon as they were born. I'm sure that if anyone heard me say that, they'd call me crazy. However, my "crazy" plans do have some merit.

A study was conducted at the University of California San Diego found that children who are too clean are actually more susceptible to developing inflammation and disease - namely asthma and autoimmune disorders. They also tend to be the ones who have a higher rate of allergies. Using cleansers, soaps, and hand sanitizers excessively can actually increase those chances because they kill off important bacteria on our bodies.

Moral of the story: Don't be afraid to let kids dirty! When the hubby and I start having kids, I'm sticking to my plan! (Maybe not exactly, but in some capacity)

Image courtesy of Christendomreview

Britney Spears Likes Alternative Medicine

2010-01-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

This just in: Pop princess, Birtney Spears, is currently training to become a masseuse! Ooo.

Sources reveal, “Britney wanted to focus her attentions on a new hobby and that’s massage. She has always been interested in herbal and alternative medicines. Now she has undergone a herbal detox and had a three-hour class about what oils work on various skin conditions.”

This makes me happy. It's always nice to see when celebs show interest in alternative med. Mel Gibson, Madonna, and Gwenyth Paltrow are other celebrities known to be fans of natural medicine.

I hope this craze becomes contagious and spreads throughout all of Hollywood. What an impact that would have on us common folk. Just say no to drugs!

Yaz Linked to Severe Injuries? So Shocking!

2009-12-20T05:50:00.001-07:00

Ok not really. This doesn't surprise me at all.

Yaz, the birth control pill taken by millions of women who are trying to either treat severe acne or the obvious- prevent pregnancy, is catching some heat now.

Bayer, the pharmaceutical geniuses behind these birth control pills, was ordered to redo their misleading ads back in 2008 because of false claims and misinformation. Well...they spent millions remaking their ads, and the FDA still isn't happy.

Dear Bayer, just give up. Trying to sell pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks, strokes, liver cancer, and many other health complications in your cute little pill just isn't doing it for me. You don't want to dump some more millions into a new commercial and lawsuits, do you? Just call it quits. No one will notice.

Check out this spoof...

Food, Inc.

2009-12-12T09:54:00.001-07:00

I've never been a movie person, but thanks to the "Watch Instantly" option for Netflix users, I'll definitely become one.

Yesterday, I decided to put the books aside for the night and watch a movie called Food, Inc. I was drawn in and completely engaged the entire one and a half hours.

For those of you who are interested in learning where a majority of our country's foods originate, I highly highly HIGHLY recommend this movie. It's extremely informative and will probably leave you feeling emotions you never knew you had!

If you have Netflix, you can watch for free online or you can purchase from Amazon for under $15. Let me know what you think of it!

Come Out With Your Hands Up!

2009-12-08T05:37:00.004-07:00

Picture this...

You pull into the back of the parking lot where you've agreed to engage in 'the deal'. You flash your headlights twice - the signal that the coast is clear. You get out of your car, a buyer hands over some money, and you hand over the goods. The transaction is done.

You walk back to your car but before you can even open the door, the sound of sirens stuns you and flashing lights almost leave you blinded. You're now surrounded, and all you can hear is "Come Out With Your Hands Up!"

As the undercover cop approaches you with cuffs in hand you ask, "Officer, what did I do?". He responds, "You've been selling raw milk."
Sure, this is a bit exaggerated but something along these lines happened to a family in Springfield, Missouri who has been the target of state officials for "illegally trafficking" raw milk! You've got to be kidding me. NaturalNews reports that the state of Missouri has been spending tax dollars for this undercover investigation. Two daughters of the Bechard family were caught on two occasions selling a gallon of milk that came from a cow named 'Misty'.

Let it be known that these girls (in case you didn't catch this) weren't selling sugar-ridden tea flavored water and passing it off as having anti-oxidant powers NOR were they selling bars labeled with "nutri" and "grain" in their name whose first ingredient is high fructose corn syrup which has proven time and time again to push people into a state of hyperinsuliemia and fatty liver and hypercholesterolemia and... *ahhhHh*

I'm done.

Photo: Maren Caruso / Getty Images

Slim-Fast Recalls ALL Canned Products! Hmm...

2009-12-05T20:51:00.004-07:00

Do any of you remember Slim-Fast? I surely do. Back in high school when I thought I was fat, I thought I'd try it out. However, I took a sip of that stuff and never touched a can again. From what I remember of it, it tasted like someone attempted to dissolve powder in a flavored liquid mixture and failed miserably.

Well, it turns out the folks at Slim-Fast are recalling all of their "meal replacement" weight-loss bevies. The FDA posted a recall notice on their website that reads, "The recall involves all Slim-Fast RTD products in cans, regardless of flavor, Best-By date, lot code or UPC number."

Why the recall, you ask? It looks like there's some bacterial contamination that can result in moderate food poisoning. Scary!

I'm not even going to lie - I'm glad this is happening now. This product should have been pulled from the shelves years ago. How anything whose main ingredients are milk, sugar, fructose, and cocoa can help you lose weight is beyond me. I must have missed that lesson in school.

Sweeten Your Way to Declined Health

2009-12-01T20:26:00.001-07:00

It really just boggles my mind that a substance like aspartame, despite its ill effects, ever received approval from the FDA. Aspartame is everywhere- including "fruit" juices, diet sodas, yogurt, cereals, and many other commonly consumed foods. I consider myself lucky if I stumble across a pack of gum that's made with actual sugar. (I challenge you to try this).

Studies show that aspartame not only promotes weight gain by signaling the body to store carbohydrates, but it also damages the kidneys. There have even been links made between aspartame and brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus, chronic fatigue, and Alzheimers! Evidence regarding its dangers is abundant, yet its prevalence in our foods is increasing exponentially. It's a favorite among food giants like Kraft, General Mills, and CocaCola. This makes me so sick.

An easy way to avoid this silent poison is by buying organic. If you do purchase conventional products, however, please make sure to read those labels! You truly would be surprised at the number of products that contain the artificial sweetener. Stay informed.

Fix Obesity, Healthcare Problem Solved!

2009-12-01T05:15:00.000-07:00

"If the incidence of obesity fell to its 1987 level, it would free enough money to cover the nation’s uninsured population."
-Dr Kenneth Thorne, Department of Health Policy and Management Chairman | Emory University

Chew on that.

Miracle Liquid - Fish Oil

2009-12-01T04:58:00.002-07:00

Carlson Labs The Very Finest FISH OIL
Speckled Rating: 5 out of 5 bananas

Fish oil, one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, prevents an overwhelming amount of diseases. Among them are type II diabetes, depression, breast cancer, and ADHD. I'd honestly need an entire blog dedicated to fish oil to thoroughly cover its benefits.

I'll admit, fish oil doesn't taste the best- even in capsule form. I probably tried 5+ products before I crossed this one from Carlson Labs.

It's pure liquid fish oil with added lemon to hide the fishy taste. It's great for you, and you can put it on or mix it in anything. It works wonders on salads and in smoothies.

The best pricing on the web that we've found for this product is iHerb.com. Snag a bottle for $28.
We shop here all the time, and their service is wonderful. Use code TAH643 at checkout for a discount!

Your Health: More Than Meets The Eye

2009-11-30T05:54:00.004-07:00

In the world of natural health, being healthy is more than just passing a physical exam at your doctor's office or having all normal lab results. The whole person should be considered, and your emotional and mental states are no exception.

Studies have shown that major events and stressors in your life can actually predispose you to illness later on down the road. This Social Readjustment Scale helps determine how likely you are to become ill. It was published based on the work of two psychiatrists in the 1960s and is still used today! The results may surprise you. I got over 300. Ugh. See how you stack up after the jump.

Death of a spouse	100
Divorce	73
Marital separation	65
Imprisonment	63
Death of a close family member	63
Personal injury or illness	53
Marriage	50
Dismissal from work	47
Marital reconciliation	45
Retirement	45
Change in health of family member	44
Pregnancy	40
Sexual difficulties	39
Gain a new family member	39
Business readjustment	39
Change in financial state	38
Change in frequency of arguments	35
Major mortgage	32
Foreclosure of mortgage or loan	30
Change in responsibilities at work	29
Child leaving home	29
Trouble with in-laws	29
Outstanding personal achievement	28
Spouse starts or stops work	26
Begin or end school	26
Change in living conditions	25
Revision of personal habits	24
Trouble with boss	23
Change in working hours or conditions	20
Change in residence	20
Change in schools	20
Change in recreation	19
Change in church activities	19
Change in social activities	18
Minor mortgage or loan	17
Change in sleeping habits	16
Change in number of family reunions	15
Change in eating habits	15
Vacation	13
Christmas	12
Minor violation of law	1

Score of 300+: At risk of illness.
Score of 150-299+: Risk of illness is moderate (reduced by 30% from the above risk).
Score 150-: Only have a slight risk of illness.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

2009-11-29T12:08:00.005-07:00

I love green tea. Something about drinking a hot cup brings a sense of warmth and comfort to me. Not a day goes by that I don't brew a cup or two...or six. There are so many flavors and combinations out there, that I can never get bored.

Not only does green tea taste great, but it also has an immense amount of health benefits that go along with its consumption. Below are my top green tea health benefit picks.

Boost Immune System
Green tea is loaded with a powerful antioxidant called EGCG (I'll spare you the scientific name). Studies have shown that EGCG fights off free radicals in the body that are known for compromising our immunity.

Increase Metabolism
Trying to stay fit or even lose weight? Drink a few cups every day, and you'll be well on your way. Green tea increases the rate of fat oxidation, which facilitates the shedding of those unwanted pounds.

Prevent Disease
For centuries, green tea has proven to be very effective in preventing a wide range of diseases including cardiovascular, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.

Look Younger
No need to go under the knife! Pick up a cup to reverse the underlying effects of aging. Goodbye wrinkles, skin damage, and scarring.

Green is the New Black

2009-11-29T09:38:00.002-07:00

What do you get when you combine kale, spinach, peaches, pineapple, strawberries, and ice in a blender? Oh...just a little energy, radiant skin, stronger nails, and regular digestion - that's all.

The average American consumes less than a full serving of greens every day, and it's no surprise why. To most, greens aren't exactly the tastiest of foods. Imagine chowing down on a heaping mound of raw kale or a plate full of parsley at the dinner table. No thanks.

Greens like spinach, parsley, kale, and romaine lettuce are excellent sources of essential vitamins, and by blending them with your favorite fruit to create a green smoothie, you can reap the benefits of eating raw greens without the torture.

Finally, an alternative to drowning that head of romaine in your favorite bottle of fatty ranch dressing.