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Low Carb Dinners: 15 Ideas to Serve in Under 15 Minutes

July 11, 2019 by Power of Positivity

It seems that everyone is riding the low carb train these days. Many have tried a number of them, and land eventually in Ketoville. There, they continue to make pretty successful meals for themselves and the family.

Everyone knows that there are times in our daily schedules when an elaborately constructed, low carb meal is not in the cards.

Regrettably, there are times when people throw the search for winning dinner ideas out the window and head through the nearest drive-thru. Thankfully, through a succession of trials and errors, most can formulate some winning low carb dinner ideas that the children love, even when we are pressed for time.

Enjoy the benefits of experimentation, successes, and failures. Try these delicious and delectable dinner ideas that are sure to please almost any picky palette:

#1: Chicken burrito bowl

This is a go-to meal for when you’ve literally been running all day. Simply shred some rotisserie chicken breast into a bowl and top with your favorite jarred salsa and shredded cheese. Pop in the microwave for 40-50 seconds to melt the cheese, then top with avocado, onion, lettuce, and any other toppings you find burrito-worthy. The kids will be asking for more!

#2: Low carb shrimp salad lettuce wraps

Salad wraps can work with almost anything—-salmon, tuna, chicken, crab, or shrimp. Chop your cooked meat, then add in some celery and onion. Mix with some spices and mayo until it is a nice salad consistency. Wash and prep lettuce leaves, then spoon a bit of the meat mixture into each lettuce cup. Serve with avocado and lime for garnish.

#3: High fiber cracker pizzas

While high-fiber, low-carb crackers taste like cardboard in and of themselves, they are quite tasty and crunchy when paired with the right toppings. Spread your favorite low-carb pizza sauce liberally over these crackers, and top with your favorite pizza additives such as cheese, mushrooms, pepperoni, and green pepper. You have a low-carb, tasty meal that is satisfying on many levels.

#4: Chicken parm

Chicken parm has never been made easier than with pre-cooked chicken sausages and meatballs that you can find virtually anywhere. Pair these up with your favorite sauce, a generous heap of mozzarella, and some zucchini noodles for a great weeknight dinner in under 20 minutes. This is also one of my favorite dinner ideas if I find out I’m having an unexpected guest; it looks as impressive as it tastes.

#5: Cauliflower fried rice

When you have a hankering for some good Chinese without the MSG or the carbs, check this out. Frozen riced cauliflower is available in almost any grocery store, making this recipe a snap. Sauté the riced cauliflower with some onion in butter till tender. Stir in items like chopped carrots, green pepper, green onions, mushrooms, and your favorite coconut amino blend or low sodium soy sauce. Just before serving, add some egg to the pan for a quick scramble and some creamy deliciousness throughout. Dust off those chopsticks and dig in.

#6: Poached eggs in tomato sauce

Comfort food at its best, who doesn’t love the combination of rich tomato sauce and creamy eggs? This is one of my favorite dinner ideas even when I’m not following a low carb diet. In a large saute pan, steam some fresh spinach, broccoli, and other veggies of your choice. As your veggies become tender, add your favorite marinara to the pan and allow it to become hot.

Create some nests in the mixture, then crack fresh eggs into each hollow. Cover the pan and allow eggs to steam till cooked through. Remove the cover, spread your favorite shredded cheese over the whole pan, and put the cover back again just until cheese melts. Transfer to bowls and serve hot and delicious!

#7: Greek salad

If you are lucky enough to live near a Greek diner or restaurant, feel free to indulge in the flavors of this unique region and order in—don’t forget the baklava. On the other hand, if you want fresh flavor that is low-carb and packed with nutritional goodness, make this salad.

Mix your favorite chopped green lettuce with red onion, chopped tomatoes, kalamata olives, cucumber, and loads of feta cheese. Toss well and then liberally apply Greek dressing. For the dressing, combine two parts olive oil with one part red wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice.

While it is delicious on its own, you may also choose to add some quality canned tuna, leftover chicken breast or even steak to jazz this one up.

#8: Low carb bacon and egg muffins

These delicious egg muffins don’t have to remain in your dinner ideas arsenal; feel free to reheat and use anytime for a great low carb breakfast, lunch, or snack. Simply spray a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray, and then add bacon and prosciutto so that they overlap into little cups. Drop in a spoonful of steamed veggies of your choice, then fill cups halfway with an egg mixture comprised of whisked egg, heavy cream, salt, and pepper.

Pop them in a 400-degree oven for 10-15 minutes, testing them before removing from the heat.

#9: Cheeseburger stir fry

This was one of the first low carb dinner ideas I dreamed up on behalf of my kids, and I still use it today, for it’s quick and delicious. Brown up one pound of ground beef, and to that add cheese slices, chopped onion, tomato, pickle, and condiments of your choice. If you still have a hankering for a burger, try rolling yourself a wrap between some iceberg lettuce leaves for extra substance and crunch.

#10: Chicken Caesar wraps

You may miss the croutons, but these wraps make up for it. Toss shredded rotisserie chicken with generous helpings of romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and your favorite low carb Caesar dressing. Spoon the mixture into romaine leaves, and add thinly sliced onion and tomato for garnish, if desired. This is one of my favorite dinner ideas for busy weeknights when everyone is coming and going.

#11: Cheesesteak stir fry

Mmmmm…..cheesesteaks! Who doesn’t love the distinctive combination of thinly sliced beef, melted cheese, and peppers to round out the experience? Throw some onions and bell peppers in a saucepan and season well. Add steaks to the pan and sear on both sides, topped with veggies and ultimately, provolone or Swiss cheese. You can roll them up and eat them like a meat wrap, or you may dig into this delicious mound with a knife and fork–one thing is for sure, you will have deliciousness dripping down your chin as you savor these flavors!

#12: Lemon garlic cauliflower steaks

This is a delicious, low carb vegan option for those of us wishing to add more veggies to our diets. There is no feeling of missing out with these hearty and delicious “steaks”. Cut a head of cauliflower into thick slices and brush them liberally with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are becoming brown and crispy. Serve with your favorite green salad and a tangy vinaigrette for a delicious and healthy meal.

#13: Buffalo chicken celery sticks

Pair these little beauties with your favorite cottage cheese and you have a well-rounded, protein rich meal that is big on flavor. Toss rotisserie chicken with your favorite mayo, hot sauce, and chopped onion. Stir in crumbled bleu cheese and stuff those celery sticks. Drizzle the top of the celery sticks with additional bleu cheese dressing, or use additional dressing for a delectable dipping sauce. Yummy!

#14: Low carb zoodles with lemon cream sauce

Missing pasta is no longer a problem with one of our favorite low carb dinner ideas. You can spiralize your zucchini or buy them prepackaged at the grocery store to save time. Pair it with a delicious lemon cream sauce comprised of minced garlic, heavy cream, the juice of half a lemon, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil and toss with the zoodles before serving immediately. While scrumptious on its own, you can spice it up by adding additional parmesan, shredded chicken, or even shrimp.

#15: Smoked salmon cucumber boats

This little number is light, refreshing, and satisfying on so many levels. Make a tzatziki sauce by combining Greek yogurt, chopped cucumber, lemon juice, and fresh dill. Prepare a cucumber by slicing it lengthwise down the middle and scooping out the seeds. Fill the cucumber hollow with the fresh tzatziki sauce, then cover liberally with smoked salmon. Eat as many as you like; they are low on calories and big on taste!

Want vegan dinner ideas? Check out these 30 meal ideas.

There is no longer a need to search high and low for dinner ideas on a low carb diet; there are no more excuses with these delicious and simple low carb dinner ideas. Feel free to add your own special flair and flavor to them, and experiment to find out which ones your family likes best. Enjoy this new and healthy venture that you are embarking on, and get ready for some great taste adventures. Bon Appetit!

10 Things That Make Kids Smarter and Happier

July 10, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Want to learn the secret to making your children smarter and happier? It may startle you to learn that it doesn’t come only from the classroom. Learning transcends the schoolhouse.

Quotes About Becoming Smarter

“Many highly intelligent people are poor thinkers. Many people of average intelligence are skilled thinkers. The power of a car is separate from the way the car is driven.” –Edward de Bono

Stephen Hawking, one of history’s greatest astrophysicists, once said,

“People who boast about their I.Q. are losers.” -Stephen Hawking

Now, we won’t completely disavow intelligence tests. Many of the world’s most brilliant minds (like Hawking) scored extremely high on “intelligence tests.”

The problem is that we, as a society, still place a disproportionate amount of emphasis on “intelligence tests.”

We will make the argument – as will many of the brightest brain scientists – that nourishing intellect is far more important.

Einstein and Edison

Not too long ago, scientists proclaimed that intelligence was fixed. Either you were “smart” or “dumb.” A number from some obscure test determined your “intelligence.”

Now, genius sometimes appears when and where it appears without any material cause. A very (very) small percentage of children are just born with a genius-level intellect. This, however, is exceedingly rare. And even this is not measurable.

Some of history’s greatest minds – Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison among them – were once told they would “never amount to anything,” or that they were “too stupid to learn.”

Einstein is a genius, and arguably the greatest mind to have ever walked the planet Earth. Thomas Edison, the “stupid” one, would go on to become history’s most prolific inventor. Nobody living today would doubt the intelligence of either man.

So, what made the difference for Edison and Einstein? Self-confidence. They knew what they were capable of, and couldn’t give a rat’s ‘a’ about what some “academic” said otherwise.

Share these positive messages with your children and watch them become smarter and happier.

Fast-forward to today

We know, for a scientific fact, that intelligence is not fixed. The human brain has the remarkable capability of molding itself, growing, and becoming more competent. Yet, based on I.Q. test results, we continue to administer tests for private school admissions, gifted and talented status, or public school placement (in some areas of the world).

Regardless of what you may or may not believe, you can improve your child’s innate gifts. We will discuss how to increase the seven abilities that every person needs to succeed in today’s world. Those seven skills are:

Information retention (short-term memory)
Long-term memory
Language
Mathematics
Memory
Critical thinking
Fine-motor skills

If you’re a parent, you should be pumped and raring to go. If you’re a childless adult, the same applies. You can increase your intellect at any age.

Let’s get our brain power on!

Here are seven easy ways to make children be smarter:

1. Introduce math at an early age

It really doesn’t matter how you build curiosity and talent for math. If your kid is playing with twelve blocks, take two away and ask how many are left. Put the two blocks back and ask the same question. Tell them to count the number of puzzle pieces for a particular puzzle. As they mature, ramp up the difficulty.

2. Challenge their memory to make them smarter

“Tell me five things you did in school today.” “How many friends did you play with at recess?” Again, it doesn’t matter how you test the child, just test them. They may get frustrated; they may want to play. This is when your role as a parent reigns supreme. Test them. Challenge them.

3. Give them paper, crayons, scissors, glue, paint, etc.

Fine motor skills are drastically underrated as a marketable skill. Did you know a certified master mechanic earns more than the typical business manager? Exactly. Give them this stuff. Let them get dirty and build things.

4. Let them solve problems autonomously

Is your child late for school? Tell him or her to figure it out. Don’t be afraid to put a little pressure on. “You have (x) minutes left. Let’s go.” Just make sure to provide some encouragement:

“You can do it. Use your mind.”

This kind of autonomy is invaluable.

5. Give them blocks and puzzles

Spatial skills, like fine motor skills, are another area where brilliant people struggle. Why? Because our education system places far too much emphasis on rote memorization. Not only will your child increase their brainpower, but they’ll also have fun.

Speaking of which…

6. Let them play to grow smarter

Imagine a child forced to remain in a bedroom studying…and studying….and studying. This type of parenting is detrimental to a child’s health. Today, we deal with the same problem: rote memorization and learning – and no emphasis on creative thinking. Children develop creative thought through play.

George Carlin, the hilarious and brilliant comedian, once quipped: “When does a child get to play in the yard with a stick anymore?”

7. Talk and read; then talk and read again

Did you know children raised in “high-language” homes average 38 points higher in IQ tests? Many scientists are not convinced of the merit of I.Q. tests – but this is a noticeable difference. Talk to your kid, read to your kid; let them talk and read to you – about anything and everything – and whatever is in between.

21 Overnight Oats Recipes You Can Make In Less Than 5 Minutes

July 10, 2019 by Power of Positivity

During the cold winter months, getting up early can feel like a chore. Sure, it’s one thing to get to work on time, but also getting up early to make an entire breakfast can be overwhelming. Thankfully, you have many ways to meal plan for your lunch, but what should you do about breakfast?

Sometimes it’s just not practical to take some fresh fruit or a pastry and go, so look at other ways to get nutrients without having to worry too much about preparation. One of the most effective ways to eliminate morning prep time and have a nutritious breakfast can be to utilize overnight oats recipes.

What Are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are a way of preparing (typically rolled) oats that are similar to muesli. It typically involves a mixture of raw oats that are soaked overnight in either water, milk, yogurt, or another type of liquid, which is then eaten raw, often with fruits and nuts. When contained in a jar, it becomes an easy grab-and-go meal for the morning!

The health benefits you can get from eating oats is plentiful. For starters, it can help you burn more fat in the long run, as the oats stimulate your metabolism significantly. (1)

Eating oats is also good for your heart, helping you reduce your cholesterol in the long run. If you incorporate oats into your diet on a regular basis, research has shown that it can help you maintain a healthier heart. (2)

Where Do I Start?

There are many different ways that you can prepare oats, though, so sometimes it can be hard to choose. To help make your choice easier, we’ve gone through many options and have made a list of the options that we believe are the tastiest recipes you can make in less than 5 minutes!

So, here’s our list of 21 Overnight Oats Recipes You Can Make In Less Than 5 Minutes:

(All of the below recipes should be assembled in a jar or other sort of container and placed in a refrigerator overnight after preparation is done)

1. Banana Walnut Rolled Oats

This is one of the most classic ways you can prepare your rolled oats! You can do this easily by filling up a jar with rolled oats, then adding milk until the oats are well-covered. Then, put in some walnuts, chia seeds, and a cut up banana. Then, put it in the fridge and wait until morning!

2. Choco Banana Surprise

For this recipe, just cut up a banana and mix it with cacao powder. Then layer your oats on top of it before adding a layer of peanut butter. Then, add another layer of oats before putting milk in the entire mixture to fill in the gaps. Leave it overnight and you are surely in for a treat when you wake up!

3. Citrus Swirl Overnight Oats

A unique way to prepare your oats is to fill the jar with lemon juice instead of milk. I prefer to use the lemon juice and then cut up an orange to put inside the oats, complimenting the citrus taste of the juice. If you top it with walnuts and a bit of yogurt, you’ll have a delicious treat once you mix it all together!

4. Smoothie Fruitiness

Ever have one of those days where you wish you could just have a smoothie for breakfast while also having a balanced meal? Well, this recipe allows you to do both of those things! For this, make a smoothie of your choice in a blender (we recommend ice, strawberries, plain yogurt, bananas, and blueberries) before using that smoothie as the basis for the liquid in your oats. Feel free to add some chopped up fruits for more texture!

5. Strawberry Delight Overnight Oats

One of the most simple recipes you can do is make your life pink by throwing some strawberry yogurt in-between your oats with some chia seeds! Then, chop up some strawberries before coating them in sugar (optional) and placing them in the jar for texture.

6. Flax-Filled Treat

For this recipe, fill your jar with half as much oats as you usually do, but add flax seeds for the other half. Then fill it with Greek yogurt and put cherries inside for a delicious mix of sweet and sour!

7. Classic Overnight Oats

This recipe is the most basic, allowing you to just put your oats in the jar and then milk on top. It’s very practical when you’re really tight on time, as there’s little to no prep!

8. Chocolate Cravings

Want a sweet breakfast that is also healthy? Try putting Greek yogurt in the jar with your oats and then adding a teaspoon of cocoa powder and mix it all together. If you need more chocolate, add as much as you’d like before topping it off with raspberries.

9. Green Smoothie

Similar to our smoothie recipe earlier on this list, this recipe involves you making a smoothie that you then use as the basis for the oats. We recommend putting bananas, avocado, strawberries, and spinach in your smoothie before adding it to the oats. The flavor is unique, but that’s why it works so well!

10. Pancake Overnight Oats

For this recipe, we recommend you soak your oats in milk before adding maple syrup. You can then chop up some nuts for texture and add a little peanut butter to re-create a flavor similar to the smell of pancakes on a lazy Saturday morning!

11. Banana Vanilla Deliciousness

We really love this recipe: put chopped up bananas in your jar of oats before adding Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and a lot of cinnamon. You’ll love the combination of flavors!

12. Sunflower Seed Oats

Sunflower Seed Butter can be a wonderful vehicle for an oats recipe, often mimicking the same type of texture of yogurt. If you use this as the liquid in-between your oats, you can then add strawberries and bananas to make it a smashing breakfast

13. Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

For this recipe, we recommend putting milk in-between your oats, then chopping up an apple into multiple slices and each slice into smaller bits. Putting this in the jar with chia seeds and a good deal of cinnamon will satisfy your taste buds immensely!

14. Cookie Crumble Oats

Have a leftover batch of cookies from the night before? Put some milk into your oats, crumble the cookies over it, and mix it in for some delicious flavor. Save some crumble for the morning after when you are about it eat it to have a contrast in texture.

15. The King’s Oats

Elvis was known for loving his peanut butter and banana sandwiches—honor the King of Rock n’ Roll by putting milk in your oats, then covering them in peanut butter and sliced bananas! Chop up some peanuts for an extra kick of crunchy flavor.

16. Spring Oats

One of our favorite recipes to break out when spring rolls around is something that has the taste of flowers. Use your favorite rosewater tea as the basis for your oats, then add blueberries and strawberries to the mixture. Top it off with some lemon juice and you have a delicious treat for the season!

Oats, hearty and packed with nutrients.

17. Iced Tea Overnight Oats

A wonderful way to prepare oats is to soak them in your favorite type of tea in place of water. We recommend green or chamomile tea, as it compliments the flavor of the oats best.

18. Carrot Cake Oats

Another classic recipe that seemingly everyone has their own recipe for, ours includes soaking your oats in milk before adding cream cheese, chia seeds, shredded carrots, and raisins. If you want an extra kick of sweetness, you can add vanilla extract, but we prefer it without.

19. Chips and Cream

This recipe involves putting vanilla yogurt in your oats and topping it in the morning with chocolate chips. This will give it a really nice texture and the vanilla will compliment the chocolate chips quite nicely. Also,it is a great recipe to eat when you’re craving cookies but don’t want to bake, let alone take on the calories!

20. Keepin’ It Minty and Sour

A nice, easy, and sour way to prepare your overnight oats is to soak them in plain yogurt before putting blueberries on top. Put in some mint leaves and mix them around for some extra flavor to compliment the fruit!

21. A Taste of Summer

When you’re missing the fruity, warm taste of summer, soak your oats in milk and put in some pear, pineapple, mango, banana, maple syrup, and chia seeds. This one will surely put a spring in your step and make you feel like it’s August!

FINAL THOUGHTS ON OVERNIGHT OATS

It’s clear that overnight oats are not only a healthy way for you to get nutrients in the morning but also an incredibly versatile one. We’ve listed our favorites, but there are plenty of other options if you’re craving something different, such as this list of more oats recipes.

So, what did you think of our list? Have you tried any of them out yet? Do you have your own favorite recipes? Start adding oats to your breakfast prep today and experience a nutritious, easy-to-make meal every morning!

Researchers Reveal 400 Medical Devices and Procedures That Don’t Work

July 10, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Are you scheduled for one of the 400 medical devices and procedures that don’t work and have been removed as a recommended treatment?

Medical science is an ever-evolving practice. As more information comes to light regarding medications, medical devices, procedures and treatments for various illnesses, diseases or conditions, it is essential that the medical field make adjustments, or even reversals, of practice.

This process has the apt name “medical reversals.” The issue with medical devices and procedures changing occurs when the public remains unaware while the doctors continue to recommend them as viable and effective treatments.

The process of reversing a medical device or procedure

Per the FDA webpage, it is responsible for the approval, regulation, and reversal of medical devices and procedures. The website posts pre-market approvals as well as recently approved medical devices and procedures. It also posts reversals of some of these medical devices and procedures. Finally, it gives information as to the process of approval and reversal.

The Five-Step Approval Process

According to the FDA, drugs or devices follow a five-step process of approval:

Research for the drug or device begins in a laboratory based on a hypothesis or theory arising from new information. Usually, a manufacturer, physician, or researcher starts and continues this process until it reaches the step below where it goes to the FDA.
Preclinical research involves drugs or devices further tested in the lab, or through animal testing, to check for safety.
Clinical research involves the drugs or devices offered to volunteers under supervision and controls.
The FDA then reviews all the data collected from the laboratory studies and the clinical trials of volunteers. From that information, they then decide whether to approve it or not.
A post-market review is the continued monitoring of the devices or medications after they are in everyday public medical use.

While the 5-step process appears to be straightforward, it is actually a lengthy process to get a drug or device approved for public use. As a matter of fact, many complaints arise regarding how long it usually takes for something to gain approval; this speaks for the diligence of the FDA in regard to our safety.

The Removal or Recall Process

What happens when the information provided proves premature, inaccurate, or lacking details that arise at a later date? What is the process for removing or recalling a device, drug, or procedure?

There are multiple ways in which the FDA states a device or procedure is removed from the market. Most commonly, there is a recall. The manufacturer may initiate a recall as they grow aware of additional information. The FDA may also initiate a recall due to receiving several reports questioning the safety or effectiveness of the product.

In the case of a recall, it is possible that only an adjustment is necessary, or it may need to be removed from use entirely. In either case, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer or a recall company to ensure that all the providers who use the product are notified of the recall.

If a medical reversal occurs, it may happen due to two different reasons:

A lack of solid information
The result of a method labeled as ineffective or less effective than a current method on the market
- Also considered are how invasive and expensive the methods are

A medical reversal may also occur due to excitement over a new technology made available; often this new technique or technology appears superior to current methods. This is different than reversing a technique due to a lack of effectiveness. In this case, one process replaces another because common sense dictates that improved technology always trumps previous breakthroughs.

The analysis of 400 medical devices or procedures that don’t work

A report was published in ELifeSciences in June of 2019 involving 10 researchers who analyzed more than 3,000 trials which had been published in respected medical journals between 2011 and 2017.

They identified 397 medical reversals after a process of elimination based on novelty or inconclusive results. In 209 of the cases, a review had been conducted, and it had been agreed that the practice was to be reversed. 109 of the cases, after review, turned out inconclusive; only 78 of the cases lacked a review.

A breakdown of the most common category of the studies are as follows:

20% were related to Cardiology
Public health or preventive medicine made up 12%
Critical care consisted of 11%

The breakdown of the most common treatments:

Medication: 33%
Procedures: 20%
Vitamins or supplements: 13%
Devices: 9%
System intervention: 8%

Importantly, note that 63.9% of the funding for the research backing the studies did not come from the medical industry; therefore, a conflict of interest does not seem an influencing factor in the results.

Some of the reversals of medical devices and procedures did not relate directly to a physician’s active process; instead, it may have been recommended as a tool to aid in the treatment of a condition. For example, one mentioned in the article is related to wearable tech such as FitBit watches. While they may get recommended as a method of tracking physical activity in an attempt to lose weight, studies have actually shown that wearers lose less weight than those who don’t use the device. Other examples may have included supplements, vitamins, alternative medicine or practices, such as acupuncture, and meditation. Physicians may mention these as an aid, or a patient may research it online and make a decision for themselves.

The authors of the article wanted to provide a comprehensive article for physicians and the public of specific treatments or procedures which have been reversed or are under scrutiny. They also feel that it demonstrated the necessity of randomized trials to verify the benefits of practices as much as possible.

They advise to not accelerate devices or procedures due to a rise in alarm over a particular condition, primarily because of the difficulty physicians face in changing accepted practices. After all, their previous training taught them to believe in these practices. Also, rapid changes can call the medical field into question in regard to validity and trust.

Issues raised by medical reversals

Upon first glance, a reversal of medical devices and procedures seems like a positive thing. Given that medical science is ever evolving and changing, reversing procedures due to new tech, new information, or a more effective treatment is a conscientious manner of ensuring the best care, right? Unfortunately, it is not that clear cut.

The three following elements pose difficulty, if not danger, to medical reversals when compared to replacements.

1. Perception.

When a patient or doctor learns of a device or procedure’s reversal, it can come with a perception of it as faulty or potentially harmful to patients. If a new treatment replaces another, most don’t think of it as necessarily faulty. Oftentimes a drug or device gets replaced because researchers find a more financially responsible way to do the same thing.

2. Difficulty with change.

Why are old wives tales still around? It is not because they are necessarily true; instead, they have been societally accepted as true for so long that most people will doubt evidence to the contrary. Reports can be published that beta-carotene is not effective cancer prevention, but most people will still believe it is.

It can be similar to physicians. They trained in a certain manner based on information available at the time and made life-altering decisions that reflect on their competence. When a practice reverses, many now have the glaring information that everything they practiced in good faith ultimately proved either ineffective or potentially dangerous. It puts their practice and medical beliefs into question for themselves, not to mention their patients.

Other factors that play a role in changing procedures or devices include financial rewards and conflicts of interest. People invest money into the manufacturing and sales of the devices, only to have them reversed. With the money already gone, no one would be happy about that.

3. The reputation of the medical field.

People and doctors need to have a certain level of trust and faith in the information and recommendations provided by the FDA as to the safety and effectiveness of a device, drug, or procedure. When any one of those are reversed, the reputation of the entire medical field gets called into question and faith and trust is lost. There are peoples’ lives at stake and careers of doctors are founded on these approvals. Reversals can destroy this delicate fabric.

Conclusion

Medical reversals are a necessary evil. Humans are not perfect. Crises arise demanding quick decisions and actions; research can also be missing factors when determining results. Therefore, to not have a method in place to correct an erroneous decision would be irresponsible.

Currently, many organizations are looking into better methods to validate the information from research, possibly implementing different research techniques or increasing the use of better-validated ones.

That said, those involved must also practice restraint in giving authorization; perhaps doctors need to exercise more caution regarding new procedures or devices that claim to have better results than current treatments. Jumping on a bandwagon for a new hype will likely prove irresponsible in the long run.

Researchers revealed 400 medical devices and procedures that no longer work; unfortunately, some of them may still be in practice. It is crucial that patients be pro-active and utilize the publicly available FDA site and research any device, drug or procedure recommended prior to giving authorization.

10 Day Junk Food Detox To Reset Your Body and Brain

July 10, 2019 by Power of Positivity

The United States is a nation of junk food eaters. We’re not just referring to the common culprits – the boxed candy, soda, and fast food – but the ultra-processed, packed foods that now make up the majority of what most grocers sell.

Indeed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find fresh food. Places like farmers’ markets and fruit stands are almost nonexistent; meanwhile, the prices of common food items in many health food chains (e.g., Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe) are often too high for the average family to afford.

So, what is the alternative? Is there one?

In this article, we’re going to discuss the effects of junk food – and the benefits of a junk food detox. We’ll also lay out, step-by-step, the 10-day junk food detox that can effectively “reset” your brain and body.

Let’s do this thing!

James Behnke: The Socially-Conscious, Not-So-Corporate Food Executive

On paper, James R. Behnke didn’t fit the mold of a food industry executive. Most business executives have MBAs, not Ph.Ds. Unlike Dr. Behnke, most food industry executives aren’t food scientists and chemists.

You see, Dr. Behnke is a food scientist and a chemist by training. He is wired to analyze the impact of things like sugar and salt on the human body. Prior to the second half of ’99, Behnke was also the ‘Chief Technology Officer’ of Pillsbury. (Yes, the company that brought us the cute doughboy.) In his former role, the good doctor spearheaded efforts to bring healthier products to Pillsbury consumers.

Now, he was trying to do the same thing on an industrywide scale.

Behnke was smart enough to know that his impromptu meetup of eleven food company big wigs in April of 1999 didn’t stand a very good chance of succeeding. “C.E.O.’s in the food industry are typically not technical guys, and they’re uncomfortable going to meetings where technical people talk in technical terms about technical things,” Behnke said, “They don’t want to be embarrassed. They don’t want to make commitments. They want to maintain their aloofness and autonomy.”

Basically, what James Behnke was saying is that CEOs are concerned about money. They have little tolerance for science. “Does the product make money?” is the business of every CEO in every corporation large and small. If something just happens to be unhealthy, that’s none of their concern. Social responsibility be damned.

Then, there was the topic of discussion: the emerging obesity epidemic and the need for food processors to take a proactive role in counteracting it.

You need not be Nostradamus to know how that thing ended.

But it’s not like Behnke didn’t try. He did. The man stood in front of some of the most powerful CEOs in America – from companies like Coca-Cola, General Mills, Procter and Gamble, and Nabisco – and made his case.

The Science of Junk Food

The science was sound. A conscientious Vice President of Kraft Company by the name of Michael Mudd went through a total of 114 PowerPoint slides. Among the information included:

The obesity rate of children doubling since 1980.
Half of the American adults are overweight.
25 percent of adults are clinically obese.

Mudd proposed that the food industry take a leading role in understanding the science behind overconsumption, including that of the products offered by his company. Mudd even made suggestions around the idea of industrywide limits on fat, salt, and sugar content.

It was about this time that a man named Stephen Sanger, then-C.E.O. of General Mills stood up.

“Don’t talk to me about nutrition,” said Sanger. “Talk to me about taste, and if this stuff tastes better, don’t run around trying to sell stuff that doesn’t taste good.”

On those words, the meeting ended – and no progress was made.

20 Years Later…

The abovementioned meeting of the biggest big wigs in food was in 1999. Which begs the question: how have those percentages cited by Michael Mudd trended since then?

Well, comparing 1999 to 2019:

– The percentage of overweight Americans has risen from 50 percent to 66 percent.

– The percentage of obese Americans also increased, from 25 percent to 40 percent.

– Childhood obesity rates have risen from 13.9% in 1999-2000 to nearly 20%.

Every major public health organization in the United States, from the American Heart Association to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cite the food industry’s complicity in the growing obesity numbers, which has been called a “national epidemic.”

Meanwhile, the junk food industry continues to hide their collective hands in the sand.

The Junk Food Detox

“The transition of food to being an industrial product really has been a fundamental problem. First, the actual processing has stripped away the nutritional value of the food. Most … grains have been converted into starches. We have [concentrated sugar and fats] and then, worst of all, hydrogenated (fats), which include trans-fatty acids with adverse effects on health.”

–Walter Willett, Chair of the Department of Nutrition, Harvard University (source)

We’ve already cited some pretty astonishing statistics about the unhealthy nature of mass-produced, processed foods. Indeed, no objective-minded individual would say that the food industry doesn’t share at least some of the blame for America’s epidemic.

It’s time for a junk food detox.

Without further ado, here’s a workable, step-by-step, 10-day junk food detox plan.

Day 1: Go shopping. Use the Five-ingredient Rule

Learning how to read a label properly is perhaps the most important skill for avoiding “accidental” junk food.

Head to your local market and pick up a few things that you need. But this time, take a close gander at the label. Under the nutritional content (amount per serving, % daily value (DV), there’s the list of ingredients.

As a rule of thumb, any food that contains more than five ingredients is to be considered heavily processed. If possible, look for an alternative to the item.

Day 2: Make a Meal using the “Rule of Three.”

Per a Cornell University study, limiting the number of items and colors on the dinner plate can make all the difference. According to researchers, fixing a plate with no more than three items and colors can “significantly influence” nutritional diversity (read: healthier food choices) for the better.

If you’re able, try making breakfast, lunch, and dinner at home using the rule of three. But, if you’re only able to do one, choose dinner.

Day 3: Dessert = Fruit

The heavy processing use of added sugars in the Western diet has blinded us to just how good fruits taste. Grapes, oranges, and bananas are real treats. Moreover, the natural sugars in these fruits can serve as a viable, tasty, and healthy replacement to the added sugar-laden crap that most people snack on.

If you lower your added sugar intake, you’ll begin to notice just how naturally sweet and delicious fruits taste.

Day 4: Carry Healthy Snacks

Junk food in all its forms is so ubiquitous partially because of its convenience. It takes no effort to stop at McDonald’s or open a candy bar wrapper. Nip this habit in the bud by carrying healthy snacks with you.

Try slicking some carrots and putting them in a zipper bag. Or, buy some peanuts and bag them up. Pick up some raisins or pack some celery and peanut butter. You get the idea.

Day 5: Clean Your Cupboards

In retrospect, this probably should’ve been number one! Anyways…

You can’t eat what you can’t see, and you can’t see what you don’t buy. As they say in medical circles, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

On that note, clean those cupboards!

Day 6: Get a Water Bottle

Roughly 80 percent of people admit to not drinking enough water. That’s a problem because water is perhaps the best natural hunger suppressant there is.

Carry a 16-ounce water bottle with you everywhere. Some quick math: 16 into 64 equals 25 percent, which is the percentage of the recommended daily amount of water in just one bottle. Drink four water bottles full every day and notice the difference!

Day 7: Read Up on Preservatives in Your Junk Food

If you spend some time studying preservatives (sounds fun, we know), you may never want another carcinogen-injected frozen chicken breast, or some fruit snack that may just include boiled skin ever again.

Seriously, that’s disgusting.

Day 8: Eat Mindfully

Mindfulness is all the craze for good reason. We humans spend most of our time on “autopilot,” which is a major contributor to the stress epidemic. Of course, this mindlessness extends to when we eat.

Christopher Willard, PsyD, lists 6 ways to practice mindful eating:

When eating, just eat. That is, don’t multitask.
Eat when your body – not your emotions – tells you to eat.
Eat on a schedule.
Consider the source of your food.
Listen to your body and stop when it’s full.
Eat nutritiously

Day 9: Don’t Get Down

One of the main reasons why people fail to change habits is that they’re too hard of themselves. There’s a time for self-discipline, yes, but there’s also a time for self-compassion. In our eyes, the latter is much more important than the former. If you slip, don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Use this day to contemplate self-compassion and its importance.

Day 10: Make The Choice to Ditch Junk Food

Congratulations! You’ve successfully detoxed your brain and body from junk food. Regardless of what you choose to do from day 11 forward, this is an accomplishment.

Far be it for us to tell you what you should do, but there’s a compelling argument for staying away from junk food. What choice will you make?

Junk Food: Beyond Willpower and Individual Responsibility

Perhaps the most egregious error that people make is attributing the overconsumption of non-healthy food to a lack of willpower and personal responsibility. While some people may be gluttons to the point of not caring what they shovel into their mouths, such people are in the minority.

No. We’re talking about an entire industry, food processing, that pays legions of scientists to formulate and create foods designed to ‘hook’ consumers palettes. If you must, go back and read the quote by food scientist and Harvard Chair, Walter Willett.

Numbers don’t lie. The United States – and other Western nations – are either going to stand and face the corruption and irresponsibility of the food industry or not. No less than the health and wellbeing of millions of people – including our children – is at stake.

How to Go Gluten Free In 5 Easy Steps

July 10, 2019 by Power of Positivity

If you are interested in the subject of Gluten-free eating, it is most likely that you have no choice in the matter. Most people who opt for a Gluten-free diet (GFD for short) do so because of a specific medical condition called Celiac disease (1).

This condition makes the human body unable to tolerate gluten. This means that wheat, barley, rye, and anything made from them are strictly off-limits. Even the smallest crumb of wheat bread (for instance) can trigger serious problems. If you happen to be diabetic, you should definitely have a doctor test you for Celiac disease, because about 10% of people with type 1 diabetes will also have Celiac disease (2).

Some people opt for this diet even if they do not have Celiac disease. Many of these people claim that they have experienced various health benefits after cutting gluten out of their diet. Many of them claim to have a sensitivity to gluten that has nothing to do with Celiac disease. For this reason, researchers have dubbed this new disorder as “Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity” or NCGS (3).

Step 1 to Being Gluten Free: Examine Your Current Diet

The first step is to take a look at your diet and determine what has to go. Pretty much every food product will have the ingredients listed on the package. This is required by law, but if need be, you can always look up the information online. A damaged label or a discarded outer package shouldn’t hinder you as long as you have internet access. You are looking for three things in particular: wheat, barley, and rye in any form (including derivatives).

Here you must buy a notebook and make two lists. One of these lists will contain the foods you can eat, and the other will contain the foods that you cannot safely eat. After a while, you will probably memorize the contents, but writing it down will help you to more quickly do so. Here are a couple of short lists to give you a start:

Safe Foods:

Fruits
Vegetables
Fresh Eggs
Fresh Meat/Poultry
Fish
Beans (unprocessed)
Seeds and Nuts
Most Dairy
Rice
Tapioca

Unsafe Foods:

Almost All Breads
Beer
Crackers
Most Desserts
Cereals
Cakes
Pies
Pancakes/Waffles
Pasta
Some processed meats

Step 2 to Being Gluten Free: Take A Trip To The Grocery Store

Cooking is, to some degree, a matter of creativity. So, you will need to determine what kinds of materials you can use. Since a gluten-free diet rules out many of the carbohydrate-rich foods that most of us are accustomed to, your cooking methods must change accordingly, and substitutes must be found. Brands like Great Without Gluten offer excellent alternatives, making it easier to adapt recipes while maintaining flavor. We will delve more into substitutes shortly, but for now, just take your notebook to the grocery store.

Go down the aisles and check the ingredients on any product that appeals to you. As you check their ingredients, update your list accordingly, so that you will have a better point of reference. Again, be sure to research anything about which you feel unsure. As you do this, be aware that most products will not specifically say that they contain gluten. However, if a product is labeled as “gluten-free,” you can be pretty sure that it actually is gluten free. The law forbids them from lying in this case, so that label is fairly trustworthy. As before, you are looking for wheat, barley, rye, and anything derived from them. Wheat will be your most common issue by far, as it is used much more extensively than the other two.

Step 3 to Being Gluten Free: Inform Friends And Family

As with all pack animals, humans often eat together as a social activity. As such, you should probably let all your friends and relatives (or at least those you see regularly) know about your GFD. This will help to ensure that you are not tempted with gluten-containing foods and that you do not accidentally ingest gluten at Christmas dinner or on some other occasion. A college environment also presents unique challenges.

For those who live with you, certain precautions will be required in order to avoid cross-contamination. These precautions shouldn’t be too much trouble. For instance, let’s say someone makes a sandwich on the kitchen counter, and they leave a few breadcrumbs behind. Then, someone else with a gluten intolerance comes along and prepares food on the same counter and has a reaction to the crumbs. Either household member could have avoided this problem simply by wiping off the counter.

Peer pressure is one of those things that affect all of us (even though we don’t want to admit this). Sticking to a gluten-free diet is a lot easier if those around you are not trying to impose their ideas upon you. Of course, I’m not telling you to cut your friends off for offering you some toast, but only to be aware that humans are pack animals, and thus we naturally want to do what the rest of the pack is doing.

Step 4 to Being Gluten Free: Research Substitutes

Having adjusted your diet, you can now look for substitutes. It is a good idea to wean yourself from bread products entirely so that you don’t even desire something that is harmful to you. However, once you have fully divorced yourself from bread, you should begin looking at substitutes like rice flour.

Technically, flour can be made from any dried and powdered substance. People have made flour from so many different things, that the list might amaze you. Of course, none of them will work exactly like wheat flour. Still, your options are numerous here(4).

Step 5 to Being Gluten Free: Research The Grey Areas

There are some non-food products that often contain gluten, such as certain cosmetics that use gluten products as a filler. Play-dough also contains gluten, making it a risk for gluten-sensitive children. Children have long been known to occasionally eat play-dough (don’t lie, you did it at least once) so keep it out of the house if your child cannot eat gluten. Some multivitamins also contain gluten, so always check the label.

Medications are another potential source of unwanted gluten. While the vast majority of medications contain little to no gluten, some of them have been known to use it as a base for other substances. This problem is not particularly difficult to deal with, however, because any good doctor will avoid giving you drugs that contain gluten. Just make sure that you always inform your doctor of your gluten intolerance, even if you are being treated for a totally unrelated condition.

Thankfully, you can double-check your doctor if you feel it necessary. The FDA requires proper labeling of gluten-containing drugs so that those with Celiac disease or NCGS can avoid them.

Certain food products exist in a grey area between “safe” and “unsafe.”

Soup is a good example. While most soups do not contain bread, some of them do use wheat as a base. This is something that you mostly see in cheaper brands, as wheat makes for a cheap and readily available filler. This is why some soups are gluten-free and some are not. Another good example would be vinegar. Malted vinegar contains gluten, and is thus to be avoided. However, apple cider vinegar and other non-malted vinegar is fine.

When it comes to candy, be especially careful because about half of the most popular types contain gluten. When you add candy products to your lists, make sure that you list them by the specific product name since there is so much variance.

Soy sauce and oats are different cases. These are examples of foods that do not contain gluten, but which are normally processed with foods that do contain gluten. Thus, this is another case where it will vary by brand.

Final Thoughts:

As you can see, a gluten-free lifestyle doesn’t need to be a difficult lifestyle. Once you get used to a few simple rules and precautions, it will become like second nature and will no longer require serious effort. So, let’s revisit the five easy steps:

Examine your diet, throwing away anything made with wheat, barley, or rye. At the same time, prepare your “safe” and “unsafe” lists.
Take a trip to the grocery store with your notebook and complete your lists.
Inform your family and close friends that gluten is dangerous to your health. This is both so that they can avoid cross-contamination and so that you will feel less tempted to stray from your gluten-free lifestyle.
Do some research on the various substitutions that can be used in place of your favorite gluten-containing foods.
Consider and research the grey areas, such as non-food items that contain gluten, and food items that are only sometimes safe.

By following these five easy steps, you can transition into a gluten-free diet with minimal fuss and minimal risk. Try not to look at your condition as a problem. In a very real way, it is a problem, but it will not benefit you to think of it this way. Instead, look at it as a challenge, and an excuse to live a healthier life … something we should all be doing anyway.

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