More Excercise!

Ran another 5 miles today. Ran 5 miles yesterday too. This could become a very boring blog, but hey it is a great way to keep me going. Cleaned the garage while doing wall squats, push-ups and pull-ups in between. What ever I am doing I like to squeeze a little strength training in! The diet has not been that great, but as soon as the kids go back to school, I will do a little more planning and get my eating back on track, but for now I will just do my best and forget the rest!!

Excercise Excercise Excercise!!

The single most important thing I do for myself is exercise! I usually run 5 miles every day except for Sunday when I rest. Running gives you that natural high that makes even bad days good! Today I ran while my oldest had football practice. Then I did some stretches and of course 40 guy push-ups. I actually felt like sitting in the chair I had brought and just watching with the other parents, but because I do love to multitask I pushed my self and ran the track while I watched practice. I don't really like to exercise while others watch, but whatever, right? I felt as if I was going in slow motion, but I just kept going, and I felt so good when I was done! Like I always tell my kids, "Just do your BEST and forget the REST!" That phrase can get me through anything!

AFLATOXIN!!!!!!!!!!

Have you ever heard of Aflatoxin. I had not heard of it either. My child is severely allergic to peanuts and so I thought I would share with you what Aflatoxin is and where it can be found!!

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins that are produced by many species of Aspergillus, a fungus, most notably Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxins are toxic and among the most carcinogenic substances known.[1] After entering the body, aflatoxins are metabolized by the liver to a reactive intermediate, aflatoxin M1, an epoxide.

The native habitat of Aspergillus is in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grains undergoing microbiological deterioration and it invades all types of organic substrates whenever conditions are favorable for its growth. Favorable conditions include high moisture content (at least 7%) and high temperature.

Crops which are frequently affected include cereals (maize, sorghum, pearl millet, rice, wheat), oilseeds (peanut, soybean, sunflower, cotton), spices (chile peppers, black pepper, coriander, turmeric, ginger), and tree nuts (almond, pistachio, walnut, coconut, brazil nut).
The toxin can also be found in the milk of animals which are fed contaminated feed.
Virtually all sources of commercial peanut butter contain minute quantities of aflatoxin,[2] but it is usually far below the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recommended safe level.
High-level aflatoxin exposure produces an acute hepatic necrosis, resulting later in cirrhosis, and/or carcinoma of the liver. Acute hepatic failure is made manifest by hemorrhage, edema, alteration in digestion, and absorption and/or metabolism of nutrients and mental changes and/or coma.
No animal species is immune to the acute toxic effects of aflatoxins including humans; however, humans have an extraordinarily high tolerance for aflatoxin exposure and rarely succumb to acute aflatoxicosis.

Children, however, are particularly affected by aflatoxin exposure which leads to stunted growth and delayed development.

You can read more by going to wikepedia.org and looking up Aflatoxin.

What else are we eating that could be harming us. I did not know there was Aflatoxin's in my peanut butter, and it certainly was never labeled on the jars of peanut butter I used to buy! I wonder if my daughter is really allergic to the peanut or is it the mold???

A little food for thought........................................................

Avocado's, Is Guacamole bad if it is brown?

I have always wondered if eating Guacamole after it turns brown could harm you? So I decided to do a little research on Avocado's

Basically no it will not harm you. When you cut open an Avocado oxidization occurs which is the reason the Avocado or Guacamole turn brown. Like with apples if you apply something acidic like lemons/limes, vinegar, etc. and then put cling on wrap over the top it should stay looking fresh longer. Personally I would not eat the guacamole if it has been in your fridge for over 3 days and is brown, but it probably will not make you sick if it is brown and only been a day.

I do love Avocado's and so here is a little info on Avocados - They contains Lutein, a carotenoid along with vitamin E, monounsaturated fat and Magnesium. It is a great source of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and Folate and has 13 g of fiber. Avocado's help to improve the absorption of the nutrients from other foods and improves skin tone and clarity. It is high in total fat, but at least it is the good fats. Happy eating!!