Pancakes with maple syrup, hold the blueberries

My 3 year old son is a very picky eater, with an emphasis on “very.”

It’s obviously a common problem amongst kids his age, but I feel like it’s getting increasingly worse. He refuses to try new foods and often pushes his plate away, complete with a look a disgust and “blech” sound effects.

The Monkey was great with food until he was about 2 years old. At 2, he stopped drinking from a bottle, which was primarily used for milk. Since he associated milk with a bottle, he stopped drinking milk altogether. He started to push meals away, especially if vegetables were seen on his plate, and started to ask for specific foods. My child, who once devoured my roasted Brussels sprouts, scrambled eggs with veggies, and beet salads, now wants to live on chicken fingers, pizza, and pancakes.

We established a rewards system that is very hit or miss.  We would reward him with a small soy ice cream sandwich or a few organic chocolate covered pretzels as a treat after he ate his dinner. However, as for trying new foods, the reward system doesn’t even work. He would rather skip a treat than try something new. He has been known to throw a tantrum when he doesn’t get what he wants or simply refuses to eat.

Although he’s pretty good with certain fruits, like apples and bananas, it’s a struggle to get him to eat any veggies. I often put veggies on his plate, which he immediately removes. I even tried the whole hiding-pureed-veggies-in-food thing for a while. But not only have I grown to believe that it’s a disservice in the long-run, the Monkey also knows better.

I now dread mealtime.

Where did we go wrong? I did my research when it came time for the Monkey to start eating. At 6 months old, while being exclusively breastfed, the Monkey only ate pureed green vegetables, followed by an introduction to orange and yellow vegetables. He didn’t even have fruit until he was about 9 months old. As for refined sugars, the Monkey didn’t have any until his first taste of cake on his 1st birthday. He didn’t have it again until his 2nd birthday. The Monkey has never had fast food and doesn’t even know what McDonald’s is.

But, at some point during his 2nd year, I lost some of the control I had with the Monkey’s food intake. He was introduced to more types of “kid-friendly” food. He went to birthday parties where they served treats and cakes. He had pizza, french fries, and chicken fingers for the first time. He started to crave those foods. The Monkey also started to eat more snack foods like crackers and chips. Carbs and sugars – it’s all he wants and demands.

This could all be a phase or we may simply have a very picky eater on our hands. It’s hard to say at this point. I like to say that if this is the worst issue with our child, than we’re very fortunate parents. But it does make me nervous. I want my child to be as healthy as possible, which can only be accomplished with a diet filled with nutritious and healthy food. I worry about the lack of calcium, magnesium, and omega 3′s in his diet. I worry that his weight is on the low side of normal for his height and age. And I worry that he will grow up to have a negative relationship with food. Or, maybe, all this worrying is for nothing – that his eating habits are fine for his age and that he will choose better food options down the road. Guess time will tell. In the meantime, I’ll keep serving him veggies and wholesome foods and hope that, one day, he won’t push the plate away.

If you have any ideas, suggestions, stories, or words of encouragement, please share!

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I, for one, applaud San Francisco.

Having once worked on a public health-driven task force with the SF Board of Supervisors, I wasn’t surprised about the ban. The health of San Francisco’s residents, especially among children, is a big issue among city officials. With childhood obesity on the rise and the growing number of Type II diabetes cases among children, I agree that it’s important to put an end to enticing children with a fun item for an unhealthy product.  I liken the use of toys to promote and sell Happy Meals to the use of cartoon images to sell alcohol or cigarettes. The death of Joe Camel was a good move among advertisers and I believe that an end to the inclusion of toys with unhealthy meals for children will be a good thing as well.

Some people are up in arms about the ban because they don’t want government telling them what their families can and cannot eat (doesn’t the FDA do that already?). This ban does nothing of the sort. This ban is ultimately about marketing and advertising unhealthy products towards children. As a parent, it’s also about rewards. I want to see our society go back to a healthier era when it comes to the consumption of food. Children used to be rewarded with a treat if they ate their healthy dinner. However, in the past few decades, we’ve been rewarding children with toys when they eat an unhealthy fast food meal.  If parents and fast food chains want to really reward a child, put a toy in a bag of carrots. Give a small portion of a dessert after a child eats green beans with dinner. To me, that sounds like the happiest meal of all.

What do you think about the ban? Would love to hear from you.

I’ve been a fan of Whole Foods grocery stores for many years so, needless to say, I was thrilled when I was invited to preview the 300th Whole Foods store that just opened in Huntington Beach, CA. Two days before the grand opening on Wednesday, October 13th, I joined up with other bloggers and media outlets for a fun tour that showcased everything the new Whole Foods has to offer its new community.

In addition to many of the natural and organic items that you find in Whole Foods stores across the country, the new Huntington Beach location will offer unique regional products and cuisine from more than 50 local vendors, including Gringo Bandito Hot Sauce, Mary’s Free Range Organic Chickens, Honey Pacifica, Carlsbad Aquafarm, Yasutomi Farms, California Baby, and Xan Chocolates, to name a few. Many of the local vendors were at the preview and I happily sampled their goods. I was introduced to quite a few products I’ve never tried before and saw even more that I know and love. I’ve been a fan of Mary’s Chickens for years (my delicious Thanksgiving turkey last year was from Mary’s farm!), and it was a pleasure to actually meet her in person. It was also a treat to discover other local vendors. I especially loved the Xan chocolates, the sage and eucalyptus honey from Honey Pacifica, the shrimp from Carlsbad Aquafarm, and the hot sauce from Gringo Bandito (a Tapatio loyalist for years, I have to admit that this incredible hot sauce won me over).

Orange County is a very diverse area, and Whole Foods clearly made it a point to cater to many favorite local cuisines. Located on the border of Huntington Beach and Westminster, the new Whole Foods beautifully blends together the local flavors of the Surf City community and of Little Saigon in Westminster, home to the largest Vietnamese community in the U.S.  Next to the Pizza & Beer Bar you will find a host of delicious Vietnamese cuisine such as phở, noodle salads, sweet and spicy tamarind, and Vietnamese skirt steak. At the Beach Bar 405, you will find an assortment of local staples and various comfort food dishes such as empanadas, bruschetta, arepas, rice balls, chicken wings, nachos, and mac & cheese balls. Many Whole Foods stores have areas to sit down for a quick meal, but this particular Whole Foods features very comfortable indoor and outdoor seating that makes it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal with friends.

There are various reasons why I frequently shop at Whole Foods, but their specialty items are probably my number one reason. Whether I’m hosting a dinner party or going on a picnic, I usually head to Whole Foods to pick up wine, beer, cheeses, and bread. With a large assortment of cheeses from both local sources and creameries from around the world, this particular store does not disappoint.  The bakery offers fresh organic bread made daily as well as beautiful desserts such as Vietnamese coconut cakes, cream puffs, and many gluten-free and vegan options. Whole Foods is also a good place to discover new wines and beers.  The Mix and Match 6-Pack lets customers create their own set of hand-crafted beers from around the world, including varieties from Orange County-based brewery, The Bruery (which happens to be one of my favorite OC pubs as well!).  As for wine, this Whole Foods will offer many varietals from well-known wineries as well as wines made from grapes from Vietnam and traditional favorites from the Santa Barbara region.

Conveniently located off the 405 freeway in the Bella Terra shopping center, the new Whole Foods is not only a great place to shop for all grocery items but also a fun place to sit and enjoy a meal. Take a peek through my photos to get an even better idea about my visit. Or, better yet, check it out for yourself!

Whole Foods
7881 Edinger Ave., Suite 150
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Give-away time!

I have two $10 Whole Foods gift cards to give-away, courtesy of Whole Foods, and a grand prize gift-card of $75!

To enter the give-away, share what you love about Whole Foods in a comment below. For additional entries, please do the following: follow Whole Foods on twitter,  follow AYMB on Twitter, subscribe to AYMB,  or tweet about this preview and give-away. Make sure to leave an additional comment for every entry option that you fulfill. Please note that this giveaway is only open for residents of Southern California, Hawaii, Arizona, and Nevada.

This give-away will end on Friday, October 22nd. I will select two winners of the $10 gift cards and one grand-prize winner of the $75 gift card via www.random.org on October 23rd.

Good luck!

FTC Disclaimer: I was not paid by Whole Foods for this review and give-away. I was, however, given a swag bag of Whole Foods goodies during my tour. This review has not been influenced by any free products I received.

As a huge fan of Swedish Chefs and Iron Chefs, I was thrilled with the invite and opportunity. The Muppets Kitchen is a wonderful new online video series starring celebrity chef Cat Cora and Muppet Chef Angelo (who, with his thick Italian accent, is clearly not Swedish). However, Chef Angelo is a close friend and apprentice to the Swedish Chef and, as I quickly learned, is just as entertaining and lovable.  His cooking skills, however, are questionable.

The online videos, which are featured on Disney’s Family.com and Disney.go.com websites, are not only entertaining to watch but are filled with helpful cooking tips and ideas for little eaters. As a mom herself, Cat Cora has a ton of ideas for healthy and delicious food that even the pickiest eater will enjoy. There are no surprises and sneaky methods with her recipes. Cat believes that educating your children about what’s in their food and where it’s from is the best way to go. As she explained to the audience, knowing the ingredients of her food and trying everything at least once has not only expanded her own palate but helped her become the incredible chef she is today.

Watching Cat Cora, Chef Angelo, and Pepe explain how to make trail mix popcorn

Cat and Angelo demonstrated how to make a delicious snack called Trail Mix Popcorn. You can make the popcorn with the nuts and dried fruit on their own or add the melted sugar, corn syrup, and butter for an extra treat. Either way, it’s going to taste great! It’s a Moms and Muppets approved snack. Check it out!

Cat Cora and Chef Angelo’s Trail Mix Popcorn

Yield: About 10 cups

Ingredients

1 (2.9 oz.) bag microwave popcorn, popped according to package instructions (or 6 oz. store-bought pre-popped popcorn)
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or peanuts
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a large bowl sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, add the popped popcorn along with the raisins, apricots and cranberries. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the sugar and corn syrup. Once melted, stir in the butter, nuts, sunflower seeds, and cinnamon until combined. Remove the pan from the heat.
3. Carefully drizzle the melted sugar mixture over the popcorn, stirring constantly until all ingredients are fully combined and coated.
4. Allow to cool completely before serving. Note, the popcorn will be a sticky treat.

Please click on the video to see more of Cat Cora and Chef Angelo in action!

Put a little *vroom* in your juice

For my two year old Monkey, everything that makes a loud whirring sound is called a *vroom-vroom*. Which explains why whenever I break out the blender to make a smoothie, my toddler says it’s time for *vroom-vroom juice*.

There are a ton of different ways to make a smoothie and it seems like I’ve tried a hundred different varieties without nailing the perfect consistency. The smoothie either turns out too sweet, too bitter, too grainy, or has too many seeds.  This one, however, is my favorite smoothie recipe. And the Monkey loves it, too:

The Monkey’s Vroom-Vroom Juice

• 2 cups organic Acai juice (I prefer Acai with pomegranate juice)
• 1/2 cup of non-fat organic vanilla or plain yogurt
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 small package of frozen organic strawberries
• 1 frozen mango

Optional:

1 tablespoon of flaxseed

When you’re preparing to *vroom-vroom*, make sure to add the ingredients in the order I listed in order to help blend more smoothly and evenly. If the blender doesn’t seem to be working, you may have an air pocket. Safely and carefully, lift the lid and use a spoon to stir up the mixture before proceeding to blend again. You may have to blend for about 2-3 minutes before you get the right consistency.

For toddlers, the best cup I have found for smoothies is the Munchkin Mighty Grip Flip Straw Cups. They’re not the easiest sippy cup to clean and assemble, but toddlers find them very easy and fun to use.

The *vroom-vroom juice* smoothies also make great frozen fruit bars! My favorite mold is the Tovolo Shooting Stars.

Cheers!

Lead is a very toxic metal that affects more than one million children today. It can be especially harmful for children under the age of six. It’s important for every parent and caretaker to know the dangers associated with lead, where to look for it, and the symptoms of lead poisoning.

Where lead can be found:

• If you live in a house or apartment that was built before 1978, there is a very good chance that it was originally painted with lead-based paint. This is important to know because even though there may be several layers of new paint over the original paint, paint chips and dust from deteriorating paint may contain lead.
• Lead can be found in the soil around your home and in your drinking water.
• You can also find lead in older playground equipment, artificial turf made from rubber, and older or antique toys.
• Although there is a U.S. ban on the use of lead in the manufacturing of children’s products that does not mean that all toys and other children’s products are guaranteed safe. There have been recent recalls associated with lead in certain toys, jewelery, and other products for children.  Keep an eye out for all recalls, including children’s products at www.recalls.gov.

Symptoms of lead-poisoning in children:

• Symptoms vary from person to person and will be different in children and adults.
• Children under the age of six are at particular risk because they often put objects in their mouth or don’t wash their hands frequently.
• Symptoms in children can include irritability, loss of appetite, weight-loss, lethargy, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, anemia, kidney failure, hearing loss, delayed development, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems.
• If you suspect lead-poisoning, call your doctor to get a blood test.

Ways to protect your family and children from lead:

• Keep your home clean and dust-free.
• Make repairs to any deteriorating paint.
• Wash children’s hands, toys, pacifiers, and bottles often.
• Make sure to feed your family healthy meals. Children who eat a healthy, balanced diet absorb less lead.
• Test your home for lead-based paint if it was built before 1978. You can find more information about how to test your home through the Environmental Protection Agency.
• If you are renovating or remodeling your home, make sure that your contractor has been trained in lead-safe practices.

To learn more information about the dangers of lead and what to do about it, please visit Lead Free Kids.

To help spread information about the dangers of lead poisoning, the folks behind Lead Free Kids have offered one of my readers a give-away of a key light, power clip magnet, and a water bottle. To enter the give-away, just leave a comment below. For additional entries, please do the following:  tweet this post, follow AYMB on twitter, follow The Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning on twitter and/or on Facebook, post this information on your Facebook page, and/or write about this issue on your blog and include the Lead Free Kids website.

I’ll draw a comment number using www.random.org on Wednesday, July 7th. Good luck and please keep spreading the word about the dangers associated with lead.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post or give-away.

You know those *haul* shopping videos on youtube? This is my version.

Who doesn’t love Trader Joe’s?!?

No. Really. I actually want to know who you are, because I’ve yet to meet someone that doesn’t love that place. I’ve been a loyal customer of Trader Joe’s since about 1997 and I tend to move to areas that have a TJ’s within 10 minutes of my house.  When realtors talk about location, location, location, all I want to know is if there is a TJ’s nearby.

All loyal TJ’s customers have their favorites and I am no exception. I may have relied on their frozen meals and cheap wine (Two Buck Chuck!) back in the 90′s, but now I rely on their organic and healthy products to feed my family.  Trader Joe’s proves that organic, healthy, and natural products do not have to cost an arm and a leg. From a starving college student on a tight budget to a mom cooking for her family, Trader Joe’s has come through for me time and time again. The majority of my grocery receipts come from TJ’s, which should tell you everything.

Without further ado, these are my favorite Trader Joe’s products. Prices are current as of this post date:

Breakfast/Bread

Organic Oats & Flax Instant Oatmeal ($3.29) – when I feel the need to have a particularly healthy breakfast, these individual packets of oatmeal do the job.

8 Plus 2 100% Stone Ground Whole Grain Bread ($2.29) – my favorite bread, made with natural whole grains, soy & flax.

Vanilla Almond Crunch Cereal ($3.99) - this cereal is a favorite in my family. It’s good with or without milk!

Trader Joe’s Low-Fat Cereal Bars ($1.69) – made with organic grains, these cereal bars are perfect for a quick breakfast or healthy snack. I always have a few of these in my bag for when the the Monkey gets hungry.

Lavosh Bread ($1.99) - perfect for wraps or a snack with tahini or hummus.

Condiments

Organic Creamy Peanut Butter ($2.99) – this is quite possibly the best peanut butter I’ve tried. When mixed well, it doesn’t dry out, either.

Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce ($2.49) - this mustard is incredible and works deliciously on anything from a turkey sandwich to grilled sausage.

Garlic Hummus ($2.49) – spread on lavosh or pita bread or dip your chips and veggies in it. This hummus is the best!

Organic Marinara Sauce ($2.29) - I use this tasty marinara for individual pizzas on English muffins or in pastas.

Panko Breadcrumbs ($1.69) – I prefer panko breadcrumbs to regular breadcrumbs and this panko is one of my favorites.

Himalayan Pink Salt Crystals ($1.99) – this fabulous pink salt comes with a built-in grinder!

Taco Seasoning Mix ($0.79) - this is a great alternative to other taco seasoning packs because you can actually pronounce the ingredients.

Desserts

Dark Chocolate & Almond Biscotti ($3.99) - perfect for a delicious after-dinner treat with coffee.

Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds ($6.99) – Warning. These are highly addictive!

Tofutti Cuties Vanilla Bars ($2.69) - I love these and they are a much healthier alternative to ice cream sandwiches.

Dark Chocolate Covered Caramels with Sea Salt – you will be hard-pressed to find them now, but when they stock these seasonal treats, buy them! They are delicious!

Meat/Poultry

Organic Chicken Tenders (about $6-$8) – I buy several packages of these every week because they are so versatile to use. I bread them with panko and flax and bake them into healthy chicken strips or cut them into small pieces for tacos.

Organic Whole Chicken (about $13-$15) – want to try my Chicken Soup recipe? This is excellent quality chicken for a good price. I also buy this chicken when I plan on roasting a whole chicken.

Frenched Lamb Rack from New Zealand ($10.99 per lb) – did you see my recent Foodie Friday post for Mustard Crusted Lamb Rack? This lamb rack is great for that recipe. It is free-range, hormone-free, and steroid-free. No need to spend big bucks at your local butcher with this quality lamb.

Produce

Organic Baby Carrots ($0.79) – an ideal snack or add to salads.

Organic Berries (around $2.99) – I buy a variety of their berries and combine them in a bowl at home for a quick and healthy snack.

Persian Cucumbers ($2.29) – slice them up and dip in tahini or hummus!

Organic Bananas ($0.29 each) – I can’t always find organic bananas at the big-chain grocery stores, which is why I’m so glad TJ’s sells them.

Brussels Sprouts ($1.99) – when I can’t find Brussels Sprouts on the stem (TJ’s occasionally sells them that way!), I’ll buy them in a bag. Use them in my roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe!

Quick Lunch/Dinner

I love Trader Joe’s salads for a quick lunch or dinner. My favorites include the Pear and Gorgonzola Salad ($3.49) and the Chopped Chicken Salad ($4.49)

“Just Chicken” Entree ($5.99) - this package of chicken has so many uses. My favorite quick recipe for this item is chicken salad and chicken quesadillas!

Snacks

Savory Thin Mini Edamame Crackers ($2.49) – everyone in my family loves these delicious crispy crackers made of edamame.

Omega Trek Mix (individual packs of almonds, cashews, & cranberries) ($4.99) -  a perfect snack to-go!

Organic Light String Cheese ($4.99)  – this is the best string cheese I’ve found. Plus, it has 50% less fat than regular string cheese!

Pretzel Slims ($2.19) - a great snack when you need something salty and crunchy.

Honey Wheat Pretzel Sticks ($1.49) – I love these pretzel sticks because they are both salty and sweet.

Organic Blue Tortilla Chips ($2.99) - the perfect complement to homemade guacamole.

Organic Animal Crackers ($2.99) – a much healthier alternative to the original animal crackers.

6-pack of Organic Yogurt ($3.29) – the Monkey loves this yogurt. Add some berries , granola, or Vanilla Crunch cereal on top for a great treat.

Veggie Stix and Veggie Chips ($1.99) – a much better option to potato chips! And tastier, too.

Another reason I love to shop at Trader Joe’s is for their selection of fresh flowers. I love having beautiful flowers in my home, but I hate spending a ton of money on them.  TJ’s is, by far, the best place to find reasonably priced and excellent quality flowers and plants. I even planted their lavender plants in my garden and they are doing beautifully. I have heard that they select local growers for their flowers, but I can’t confirm that.

Got any Trader Joe’s recommendations that are not listed here? Please share!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated by Trader Joe’s for this endorsement. However, if they want to throw a few free snacks my way, I’ll gladly accept it.

That blog post was about the importance of talking to your children about alcohol and I link to a great website developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Now I want to take this discussion even further and dispense a little more information about alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, and alcohol facts, in general. Why? Because there are millions of people affected by alcohol everyday, whether it’s due to their own alcohol problem or because someone they love has a problem. The U.S. has one of the highest rates of alcohol abuse and dependence in the world and most people know at least one person who has a problem with alcohol. People with alcohol problems need help. It is not something that can be cured on its own without treatment and support. It is something that needs to be recognized and addressed. Treatment for alcohol abuse and dependence is imperative, not only for the health of the person with the problem but for everyone else in their life as well.

What is Alcoholism?

I don’t use the term *alcoholic.* The term *alcoholic* is not a medical or legal term. Instead, I use the terms *alcohol abuse* and *alcohol dependence*.  Both can easily be lumped into the term *alcoholic,* but there is a difference:

Alcohol Abuse is the compulsive use of alcohol, using alcohol in excess and during substantial periods of time, planning and thinking about it often, and continuing to use it despite problems. Abusing alcohol impacts relationships and will often impair the ability to function day-to-day.

Alcohol Dependence is a physiological dependence where symptoms for withdrawal will occur after 12 hours of stopping use. Withdrawal symptoms include trembling, sweating, heart palpitations, vomiting, nausea, seizures, delirium, and possible death. Unlike withdrawal from narcotics, withdrawal from alcohol can result in death without in-patient care. You read that correctly: It is the only substance where there is a risk of death during the withdrawal process. Another important piece of information to note is that adolescents do not experience alcohol withdrawal, which is most likely due to the difference in their liver function.

Just because someone abuses alcohol does not mean they are necessarily dependent on alcohol. At least, not yet. Only someone who craves alcohol, needs a large quantity of alcohol to get *high*, cannot stop drinking, and experiences withdrawal symptoms can be defined as alcohol dependent. However, both categories of drinkers will require assistance to quit.

Long-Term Physical Effects of Excessive Alcohol Use in Men:

• Lowered amounts of testosterone.
• Reddening of face, nose, and eyes.
• A shelf-like appearance on the stomach or “beer belly”. This is actually due to the expansion of the liver.
• Breast development and widening of hips.

Long-Term Physical Effects of Excessive Alcohol Use in Women:

• Lowered amount of estrogen.
• Hips narrowed and figure becomes more boxy.
• Development of facial hair.
• Skin discoloration, including a reddening of skin.

Long-Term Medical Effects of Excessive Alcohol Use in Both Men and Women:

• Cardiomypathy, which is the enlargement of the heart. Alcohol weakens heart tissue and the heart will grow to compensate.
• Chronic medical conditions such as liver cirrhosis, various cancers, high blood pressure, psychological problems, and pancreatitis.
• Alcohol kills brain cells. Organic dementia can occur over time, which is caused by parts of the brain dying.
• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome can happen over time. One major symptom is lying, which might actually be subconscious compensation for memory loss.
• Malnutrition. Not only does alcohol kill vitamins but people who are alcohol dependent do not eat properly or enough.

Biggest Misconceptions About Alcohol Use:

• Nothing can actually block or absorb alcohol. Eating before you drink can slow down the process of the alcohol entering the bloodstream, but only by mere seconds. It will not change the level of alcohol that will enter the bloodstream.
• Nothing can remove the alcohol from your bloodstream. Only time can do that. Cold showers, fresh air, or coffee will not sober a person up. They will simply turn a drunk person into a wide-awake drunk person.
• Alcohol is a depressant but it does not help you sleep more soundly. Alcohol can move a person into sleep more quickly but it inhibits the Delta phase of sleep, which is the deepest stage of the sleep cycle.
• Think that a shot of whiskey has more alcohol than a glass of wine or a bottle of beer? Wrong. The alcohol content in a 1.5 ounce shot of hard liquor is comparable to a 5 oz glass of wine or a 12 oz bottle of beer. The amount of ethanol is what affects people, not the type of drink.
• You will not always react the same way to alcohol. Your tolerance level fluctuates depending on weight, age,  sex, metabolism, and how often and how much you regularly drink.

Becoming Aware of Alcohol Use

Aside from the physical problems, there are a number of issues that are generated from problematic alcohol use. These are just some of the questions that help counselors identify an alcohol problem:

• How much do you drink every day or every week?
  
• Do you drink so much that you have to use a day (or several days) to recover?
  
• Have you lost relationships or jobs because of your drinking?
  
• Have you dropped classes or quit school because of drinking?
  
• Do you avoid friends and family because you are drinking?
  
• Do you cancel plans because of your drinking?
  
• Do you avoid certain people because they talk to you about your drinking habits?
  
• Have you had a DUI?
  
• Do you have health problems, like frequent headaches, weakness, or tremors?
  
• How much money do you spend on alcohol in one week?

If it’s determined that there is a problem, the next obvious step is treatment and support. Many people go to treatment willingly while others need to be coerced via interventions. It does not matter whether or not the person went to treatment willingly, the success rate remains about equal.

Treatment

Alcohol dependency requires in-patient care in order to properly monitor and treat the withdrawal process. Once a person has gone through alcohol withdrawal, it is still imperative to continue a life-long course of action to prevent a relapse. The addiction component is never cured and will need to be managed for the rest of their life.

There is no one right way to treat alcohol abuse and it can be a process to find the right course of treatment and recovery. It is also ideal that family and friends get support as well. For people that need help or for those who need help supporting someone they love, here is a list of a few support groups and treatment resources:

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services – A worldwide self-supporting fellowship of sober alcoholics whose recovery is based on 12-steps.

Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters – A free non-profit organization that supports family members and friends of alcoholics.

Alateen - A fellowship through Al-Anon, this organization helps young people who are affected by someone else’s drinking.

Families Anonymous, Inc. – A worldwide organization that offers 12-step, self-help programs for families and friends of alcoholics.

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. – an organization that provides resources and referrals on how to overcome alcohol and drug addiction.

Toughlove International – A national self-help organization for parents, children, and communities.

Do not delay in getting help for yourself or for someone that needs it. Lives, families, and communities depend on it.

Please share any comments or questions.

Check it out:

Pork Tenderloin with Pom Glaze

2 cups of POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice
1/4 cup of organic brown sugar
3 lbs of pork tenderloin, trimmed (I prefer organic)
1/2 teaspoon kosher sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 450.

Combine juice and sugar in a medium sauce pan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/2 cup. Pour half of the glaze into a small bowl and set aside. This portion will be used on the cooked pork, so make sure to keep it away from the raw pork!

Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Place pork on the rack of a broiler pan coated with cooking spray and place in pan. For an easier clean up, line the pan first with tin foil. Brush the pork with half of the glaze. Also make sure to remove the extra glaze that dripped down into the pan before putting it into the oven (see pic below – don’t do that!) Otherwise, the extra glaze will burn and the entire kitchen will fill with smoke. I know this too well. Trust.

Bake at 450 for about 15 minutes or until the thermometer registers 145. I suggest using a digital thermometer.  Baste pork with remaining glaze in saucepan.  Cook an additional 5 minutes of until the thermometer registers 150.

Remove the pork from the oven and baste with the glaze you set aside earlier (the portion of glaze that did not touch the raw pork — this is important to avoid contamination!). Let the pork stand for 10 minutes. Cut the pork across the grain into thin slices and serve with the glaze mixture.

I served my pork with sauteed organic Haricot vert with lemon juice and almond slivers. It complemented the sweetness of the pork beautifully.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 3 ounces pork and 2 teaspoons glaze mixture)

Bon Appétit!

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I’ve quickly become a fan of a brand new website for women, by women:

Tight Bod With A Pod

Tight Bod with a Pod (TBwaP) is a free daily newsletter about healthy tips for pre/post-natal moms, including fitness and exercise regimens, healthy recipes, and other healthy lifestyle topics. It’s like having your own personal trainer and chef at home. OK, not quite…but it’s as close to it as most of us are going to get!

I think most mamas can relate when I say it’s hard to find the time (and energy!) to lead a very active and fit lifestyle. I’m lucky to squeeze in a few runs or workout DVD’s every week. However, I’m always looking for good exercise tips that I can do at home and healthy recipes that can satisfy my cravings without costing me too many calories (think flour-less chocolate cake and a hot white-chocolate drink!). They had me at *chocolate.*

I signed up for TBwaP only a few weeks ago and I’ve already learned some great tips for both of my fitness-challenged issues. It’s not just about exercises and recipes though. I’ve also learned about some great products for babies and mamas as well as adorable and fun craft projects.

Sign up for their newsletter and check it out for yourself!