Milk. That creamy goodness.

I watched an NBC todays delivery of milk today and I am grateful for the alternatives. After watching Forks Over Knives I realized that I wanted to drop the dairy and meat from my diet almost completely. Something I really love is milk. However, I am willing to give it up completely. To replace it I need to find something else to provide calcium and that white cold drink sensation.

Almond Milk:
I've tried this one. I really like it. I like the nutty flavor.
Less calories, less fiber, less protein, high sodium however you get calcium, vit a, vit d, vit e
Nutty flavor. Creamy.
Use in cereal, oatmeal, coffee, anything

Hemp Milk:
My husband thought this one was really weird. I've never tried it. It just sounds weird to drink.
Less protein, no thc, however you get more omega-3's, brain health food
Mashed potatoes, cooking

Coconut Milk:
I have used this one but I have not just drank it.
Least amount of sodium, more saturated fat (but good heart healthy)
Creamy, coconuty.
Baking, etc.

Rice Milk:
I hate this one. It is really thin. Yuck.
More carbs, sodium and potassium, less protein, less fiber,
Sweet. Watery.
If you must use this one use it in cooking or something.

Soy Milk:
I like this one, but you need to find the kind (brand) that you like.
Most amount of protein (no more than 24g)
Beanier, Thicker
Drink, cereal, cooking, everything.

to shoot or not to shoot

Don't believe all the hype and blah around flu shots. They don't work. There are so many strains of the flu out there that that getting a flu shot is a waste of time and money and a nice afternoon without pain. A flu shot may or may not help - that's all there is too it. Every year a vaccine is given for a specific type of flu or one strain. There are hundreds of strains out there of the flu. Therefore, even if you get a flu shot you still have a hundred other possibilities that could make you sick. Also, it has been proven that the flu shot is more effective some years than other years. This is due to the fact that some years one strain of the flu is more prevalent than another. So if they got it right (meaning they have the flu shot that will help the most prevalent flu this year) then getting the flu shot might not be a bad idea (unless you just happen to get a different strain anyway). Then there is the question does a flu shot do harm? I don't know, but from my experience the least amount of manmade things you put into your body the better. My opinion if it is not clear - flu shots are pointless and wasteful.

Article on FLU SHOTS.

Colon Cleansing?

This was recently on Good Morning America Health. Is colon cleansing good? or bad? I've heard that colon cleansing is good, good for your body and your mental health. It cleans out all the toxins.

Dr Greenwald, who is a gastroenterologist, says that it isn't healthy.

What is a colon cleanse?
Clean waste materials out of their colon. Use a tube and flush out everything from the colon.
60-80L (15-20 gallons) of water.
Solutions with additives, teas/herbs.

Why do people do colon cleanses?
1. To lose weight quickly.
2. Feel like they need to purge their body of toxins and waste.

3. Preparation for surgery and colonoscopy.

Side effects?
Mild: abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, bloating, nausea
Severe: dehydration, damage to kidneys, change of chemical balance, inflammation of pancreas and perforate colon.

Why not healthy?
It just comes right back. You need to change your lifestyle (in=out).
Colon purge eliminates good bacteria in colon. (comes back)

Other options?
Balanced diet.
Regular exercise.
20-35g of fiber/day.
Screen for colon cancer (50+).

What I got from this is that if you really want to be healthy you do a colon cleanse and implement a good complete change of lifestyle after it, otherwise - it's unhealthy and useless.

ZAP that Happiness Hangover

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ABC's Good Morning America - Health

This segment (from Aug. 26, 2011) concerns allergies, vaccines, and natural birth. The audience is definitely for parents.

If you have an allergy 1) communicate when you go to gatherings, 2)bring your own food to a bbq, make sure not to cross-contaminate with the grill or utensils, and be aware that lots of sauces can contain common allergens 3) have a plan, have an epi-pen and be aware. Most allergies are already known by the time someone is in college, but there is a chance that someone can (in college) suddenly realize that they have an allergy. So being aware of what common allergies are and how they are treated is not only safer for others (to help them) but also for yourself (just in case).

School immunizations. This deals with elementary and secondary education immunizations. However, a lot of the immunizations that I was supposed to get in high school never really got done. It wasn't until my second or third year in college that I actually finished up all of my needed vaccinations. Keep a copy of your vaccination record and make sure its up to date.

Natural childbirth usually takes place within a hospital but in a separate wing with a midwife. The cons are that you are taking it all natural - pain. The pros are that its less expensive, it is a calm environment, you're most likely not to have a c-section, if everything looks good you can get off the monitor and get in the jacuzzi, and it's less invasive. However, not everyone who wants one can have one. If you have any sort of medical issue that would label you as higher risk than usual (diabetes, over 45, hypertension, baby's too big) you cannot have one. Half of women who want to have a natural birth cannot have one because of these issues.  I think it is a great idea for women to have the option to choose a more natural birthing way. It is good to know that you have more options than just one when it comes to giving birth.