Incorporated as a part of a well-balanced diet, soy’s great.
David Grotto, LD
Spokesman for the American Dietetic Association

Soy is a million dollar industry and has gained enormous popularity over the last decade. As with most products that gain popularity there are always the pros and cons.

Soy is just like any other product out there. In excess, all things can cause harm. So how do we cipher through this controversy and just what is the big deal anyway.

Overall soy is a healthy alternative to many of the items we eat daily that harm our bodies. It is cholesterol free, low in calories, only traces of saturated fat, and is full of necessary protein. As a matter of fact, like meat, soy is a complete protein.

What has seemed to unnerve some people about soy are the components of isoflavones found in it. Because Isoflavones mimic estrogen on some levels then there is concern that soy may actually be a cause for cancer or may cause thyroid issues or may be a reason for certain types of tumor growths. However, isoflavones are also good on some levels.

There is some indication and evidence that soy’s isoflavones and antioxidants protect against cancer.

So, what’s a person to do? Is soy a good or bad choice?

Soy is fine for you as long as it does not affect other issues you may have. There are people with thyroid issue who should avoid soy and then there are those with other health concerns who should consume more soy for it excellent benefits.

Soy is a good choice for many and a not so good choice for others. For example, there are many for some reason or another who are allergic to soy. However, the evidence against is minimal compared with the evidence for. Plus you have to consider all the facts when doing studies and research.

The bottom line is that if soy is an ok choice for you; don’t be concerned with the fact that you may be overdoing it. If you use it as a part of a well balanced diet, then you will not have to be concerned with eating too much of it.

On a side note: I am not a medical professional. I am just a mom who does a great deal of research and is concerned about the health of my family. Please do not take any of the information provided and take it for gold. Do like I did…research, research, research!

This article was written by LaTara Ham-Ying.
(You may not reprint this article.)

Keep up with what’s happening at Mom’s Talk Network, by clicking here.

What does it mean to you when people talk about being organic?

Living the organic lifestyle does not mean you just need to eat organically produced food, it is much more involved than that.

You need to consider the following five areas to truly adopt an organic lifestyle:

Buy Organically Grown Fruit, Vegetables and Meat

It is getting easier every day for people to buy organic food and this is the usual first step towards an organic lifestyle.

The organic lifestyle was once the province of a select few, but organic food is now widely available and purchased in many supermarkets. Every day more and more people are moving towards the health benefits an organic lifestyle can bring to their family.

Why Not Garden Organically?

For ultimate control over the quality of your organic fruit and vegetables and the control of its cost, you need to include organic gardening as part of your overall organic lifestyle.

Organic gardening can be more involved and time consuming than conventional methods. But it is more rewarding and the taste benefits make it all worthwhile, together with knowing you are helping the environment by recycling household waste.

Take A Look At Organic Housewares

Surprisingly you will find that organic constituents find their way into other aspects of your kitchen too.

It is common now to see adverts for bio-degradable cleaning products, organic bedding, mattresses and organic cotton towels to include in your organic lifestyle changes.

Buy Organic Clothing

The clothes we wear too are affected by toxic dyes and processes. Organic clothing offers a healthy alternative for men, women and in particular, children and babies.

Our skin can absorb harmful chemicals just as easily as the creams and lotions we apply for good reasons. It is important to consider moving to alternatives as part of your overall organic lifestyle program.

Think About Using Organic Cosmetics

The cosmetics industry has recognised that it too needs to consider the effects of people absorbing chemicals from its products through their skin.

Consequently, you will now find companies offering products to fit in with an organic lifestyle that are free of petroleum by-products, artificial colors, preservatives, fragrances and other chemicals that may be harmful to our skin.

The organic movement is growing apace and is receiving more publicity day by day. The rich and famous and ordinary people alike are all realizing that chemical additives, preservatives and pesticides can all affect health adversely.

There are many more features and benefits you can enjoy if you choose to join the growing movement of the organic lifestyle and way of life.

Virginia Louise has created a web site providing information about the exciting aspects of the organic lifestyle. Visit her site and pick up some free mouth watering recipes made entirely from organic produce.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Virginia_Louise

Did you ever want to teach your kids to cook but don’t know how to start? Or are you too afraid of the mess in the process? Getting your child involved in the kitchen and learning to cook can have long lasting effects on their self esteem, their eating habits and their connection with their family. It’s an opportunity not to be missed. Different age groups can handle different tasks in the kitchen. Start by evaluating where your child is for skill level and get them involved in cooking. There is no time like the present!

3-6 years old kids are best at helping and assisting an adult while cooking. Stirring, mixing, creating and adding pre-measured ingredients are all good tasks for this age group.

7-11 years old kids are good at simple 6 or less ingredient recipes, no bake recipes, using a microwave and preparing food for an adult to cook.

12-15 years old can learn to use a sharp knife for cutting, cooking in the oven or stove top, baking bread, pies, cookies or cakes are appropriate tasks for teenagers.

16-18 years old can do all other tasks listed and are at an appropriate age to learn to cook main dish meat recipes, explore and create and have fun with theme recipes. Preserving food and learning to shop economically will help them when they are out on their own.

So go ahead and get your kids involved with cooking just ignore the extra mess and enjoy the time bonding with your family.

About the Author: Debbie Madson
Kids Cooking Activities has kids cooking lesson plans to help you in teaching your kids to cook and giving them activities to explore and learn in the kitchen. You will also find seasonal cooking activities, kids craft recipes, easy kids meals and so much more. Getting your child involved in the kitchen and learning to cook is an opportunity not to be missed.

To learn more, check out the Mom’s Talk Guide to Raising Happy & Healthy Kids – Tips and resources address nutrition, exercise, sleep, routines, and much more.

December through March will bring colds and flu to many, and while the flu is a different bug than the common cold, it still pays to do all we can to make it un-welcome.

One way is to boost our immune system with the proper herbs and spices that warm our bodies and makes certain germs want to live someplace else.

Cayenne pepper, garlic, onions, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, oregano, rosemary and sage are just a few of the immune boosters that work well in winter foods.

I know you are thinking Cayenne pepper is “hot”, well, yes, it is…but, that is the ingredient that will keep the bugs away….and if you use it spareling, it isn’t too hot at all.

Garlic, onions, and oregano can be cooked into almost anything. Rosemary and Sage are both great holiday herbs for meats and breads…and they both make an awesome tea. And, I don’t have to tell you how many ways you can use ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

One of my favorite ways is to add them to a small pot of water on top of the stove and steep until all the water is gone. Fills the house with a fabulous holiday scent and makes your breathing easier and healthier.

Experiment this season, add a dash of cayenne to a cup of hot chocolate on a cold windy day and you will be warm as toast in no time.

Oregano cookies are one of my holiday favorites also. You can find the recipe on my blog if you like. http://beasbeatitudes.blogspot.com

For more information you can visit Bea at http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

This article was written y Bea Kunz.
(You may not reprint this article.)

To learn more, check out the Mom’s Talk eBook’s Freezing It & Loving It!

“Mommy, will you be my Valentine?” What mother doesn’t love to hear those words from her darling child?

This year enjoy some Valentine’s fun in the kitchen with your sweet children. It shouldn’t be too difficult to come up with some ideas: anything red, white, pink or heart shaped will do. Below you will find lots of ideas to get you started.

Heart shaped sandwiches – whether you’re making your famous peanut butter and jelly or turkey sandwiches use a heart shaped cookie cutter to stamp out a fun lunch! Cut both the bread and the turkey into this sweet shape.

Heart shaped pancakes – there are two ways to do this. Either place cookie cutters inside your griddle. Make sure your batter isn’t too thin, and then just pour into the cookie cutters. Or you can simply drizzle the batter into the shape of a heart.

Cakes – bake a cake in a heart shaped cake pan; use cherry, strawberry or red velvet cake mix. For a twist on this cake, use vanilla batter. Once the cake is cooled, poke lots of holes into the top of the baked cake with a fork. Then pour unhardened (liquid) red Jell-o over the top. It will drizzle inside for a tasty cool looking cake.

Cupcakes – you could always decorate cupcakes. Nothing original about that idea but supply your kids lots of colored sugars, sprinkles and decorating icing for hours of fun.

Cupcake cakes – these are pretty popular lately and are also fun to make. You’ll need a large cookie sheet, cake board, or aluminum foil covered flattened box to set them on. Bake two dozen cupcakes. Next arrange the cupcakes into the shape of a large heart. Before frosting the cupcakes, put a dollop of frosting on the bottom of each cupcake liner to hold it in place on the cookie sheet or box.

Next frost all of the cupcakes in pink or white. Be sure to use lots of frosting to fill in the gaps between each cupcake. From the top view your masterpiece will look like an actual cake versus twenty four cupcakes all frosted together. Finish it off by adding icing piping around the entire cake. Decorate as desired.

Brownies – your trusty heart shaped cookie cutter can serve multiple treats. Prepare brownies or chocolate chip sheet cookies, and then cut them in heart shapes using the cookie cutter.

Chocolate, Chocolate and Chocolate – Valentine’s Day would not be complete without yummy chocolates – dipped chocolates to be exact. Start with bags of chocolate chips. For fun get a couple different varieties – milk chocolate, semi-sweet, white chocolate and swirl.

All that’s left is to decide what you want to dip into the chocolate. Some suggestions: pretzels, rippled potato chips, tortilla chips, cereal, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, vanilla wafers, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, raisins, dried cherries or apricots, banana chips or just about anything else that tickles your fancy.

Make sure you have lots of waxed paper and aprons (or an old shirt) as the dipping part is so much fun that the chocolate could be flying everywhere or your children could end up wearing it.

Mom can either microwave the chocolate for approximately two minutes per bag or use a double boiler. You can use forks or tongs or even chopsticks to dip the treats into the yummy chocolate.

There should be enough ideas above to get your started. Remember you can’t go wrong with anything red, white, pink, heart shaped or chocolate! Whatever fun you decide to make with your kids, proudly display their masterpieces with pretty paper lace doilies under the serving tray.

You’re such a great mom! No wonder your child asked, “Mommy, will you be my Valentine?”

-Written by Laurie Ayers.

To learn more, check out the Mom’s Talk Guide to Raising Happy & Healthy Kids – Tips and resources address nutrition, exercise, sleep, routines, and much more.