Formal Attire Not Required to Make a Difference

I received the following letter from Michael F. Jacobson, the Executive Director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest and wanted to share it with you in the hope that you, too, will help save lives by taking action in the fight against the high levels of sodium in our food supply. In under a minute, you can help make a difference.  And the best part, you can do it from the comfort of your own home - in your pajamas!

Laura,

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is calling for public comments to help determine if it will take the necessary steps to reduce sodium levels in our food supply. Please send a message today to tell the FDA to make sodium reduction a top national public health priority! The deadline to submit your comments to the FDA is this Friday, January 27, 2012.

Today’s average daily sodium consumption for all adults is an astounding 4,000 milligrams (mg). According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, almost half of all Americans should consume no more than 1,500 mg per day. It is not hard to see why health experts agree that Americans are consuming far too much sodium. High levels of sodium consumption contribute to hypertension and an increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Reducing per capita intake of sodium in half would save 150,000 lives per year and billions in health care costs.

Take action via the following link from the Center for Science in the Public Interest!

Send your message to the FDA today!

Thank you and good evening!

What's for Breakfast?

Two Couldn’t-Get-Any-Easier Oatmeal Recipes

#1 (makes two 1-cup servings)

Combine the following ingredients in a 1-quart crock-pot®. Turn heat to low.

Put the lid on and go to sleep. In the morning, you’ll have two ready to eat

servings to help you start your day on a healthy note!

2 1/4 cups water

3/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill Organic Steel Cut Oats

Handful of dried fruit (dried cherries, raisins, cranberries, etc.)

Pinch of cinnamon

Pinch of sea salt

#2 (makes a single serving)

Put ⅜ cup steel-cut oats, a handful of dried fruit, and a pinch of both cinnamon and 

sea salt into a wide-mouth Thermos®. Fill with1 cup boiling water and cover tightly. Grab it as you're running out the door. It will be ready to eat by the time you arrive at work or school!

Optional: Right before eating, add some chopped nuts and freshly ground flax

seeds to boost the nutrition of this already healthy breakfast option. Oh...adding 

a wee bit of maple syrup makes it extra special!

Total cost per serving: well under $2

Comments welcome!

Every Blog's Gotta Start Somewhere

Though I live an ordinary life, each and every day is a new adventure for me.

Today's adventure includes the launch of this blog which I dedicate to my dear sister, Diane, who passed away in November of 2010, at the tender age of 59, from a heart attack.

Was it preventable or postponable?  I believe so.

Where do I point the finger?  At the Standard American Diet for one. For few escape the deleterious effects this dietary style has on Americans.

For many decades now, I have walked an alternate dietary road - one less travelled - one fraught with many challenges.

Along the way, I have met many colorful characters, discovered more than I sometimes wished I had, learned lots of tips and insider tricks and did so while remaining firmly situated in the simple living zone.

So, for those of you who may be interested in glancing into the life of a time-strapped single woman dedicated to healthy living, healthy eating and many things in between, please read on.

Until next time, I welcome your comments!
Simply Laura