Thanksgiving Celebration at World Service for the Blind

Next Saturday, November 7 will be our annual Thanksgiving Celebration. Come join the fun, catch up with your friends and get a head start on your holiday calories!

Call Shelly to register and let her know if you need a ride. Please use Links if you are in the service area. Mr. Earl gets really busy on event days!

See you next week...can't wait, don't be late!
Dr. Janet

HALLOWEEN TIPS

Today is Halloween.  It is a time for candy and fun but it is also a time to be cautious.  If you have children you are responsible for, you will want to be aware of where they are and what they are doing as their safety is paramount.  Small children should not be out trick-or-treating without someone being there with them.  There are many dangers out there.  Watch out for little ones as there will be many of them out there.  If your church or civic group is having a get together that might make a good alternative.  We hope you have lots of fun but above all be safe.

Until tomorrow

Bob and Johnye

WAS HALLOWEEN REALLY MADE FOR HEALTHY

5 healthy tricks for enjoying Halloween treats By Tanya Zuckerbrot Published October 28, 2015.  

Go Natural Opt for natural or artisanal treats instead of mass marketed candy brands that are loaded with sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors and coloring, and hydrogenated oils that may contain unhealthy trans-fats. All-natural treats such as Justin's Organic Nut Butter Cups and Cocomels Organic Caramels taste indulgent, but they are much kinder to your health. Curb Sugar Cravings Chase a serving of candy with a serving of a vegetable to keep sugar consumption in check. Added bonus: The fiber in vegetables helps soak up and eliminate some excess calories before the body can store them as fat. Drink More Water Many symptoms of dehydration are the same for hunger. Fill up on zero-calorie water throughout the day and you won't be as tempted to overindulge on sugary treats. Also, water helps flush out lingering toxins from a Halloween cocktail party. Sugar Detox Munching on fruits and vegetables will help cleanse your system after a candy binge. Fresh, high-fiber produce such as apples, pears, and squash, are rich in antioxidants that help prevent inflammation caused by excessive sugar consumption. Take a Walk Eating a sugary treat causes blood sugar levels to quickly spike and crash, which can leave you feeling tired and cranky. Follow your Halloween indulgence with exercise like a brisk 15-minute walk, which helps stabilize sugar levels and re-balance energy-regulating hormones. 

NOT MUCH FOOD VALUE BUT IT SURE TASTE GOOD

Why we're still crazy for candy corn By Sky McCarthy , Ali Rosen Published October 28, 2015.  

About 35 million pounds of candy corn are produced annually, which equates to roughly 9 billion pieces. So if you think candy corn is everywhere this time of year, it's not just your imagination. "Halloween is a holiday that celebrates fall's harvest and ever since its invention, candy corn has been a symbol of the season because it represents such a major fall food," explains Beth Kimmerle , a confectionery expert and author of four culinary history books. . It may not replace the original, but new Caramel Macchiato corn was the favorite new seasonal variety.  Candy corn was invented in the 1880s by the Wunderle company. But it wasn't until Goelitz-the candy manufacturer that would later become the Jelly Belly Candy Company-started producing the tricolored candies in 1898 that the confection really took off. Goelitz sold the confection in boxes branded with roosters, which earned the candy the nickname of chicken feed. The original recipe called for sugar, corn syrup, carnauba (or palm) wax, water, marshmallow and fondant. Today, it takes a few more ingredients than that, including artificial preservatives and dyes, to make the traditional yellow-orange-white configuration. Brach's, which makes its candy with real honey, is the world's biggest manufacturer of candy corn --making 8 out of 10 pieces sold. While classic candy corn is still the biggest seller-this year they've introduced some brand new flavors into the mix including Peanut Butter Cup and Caramel Macchiato. And while not everyone claims to like candy corn, retailers credit these new innovations with driving demand. 

I LOVE HOT CHOCOLATE-DO I CARE

5 reasons hot chocolate isn't healthy By Meghan Rabbitt.  published, October 26, 2015.  

 

Nutrition news has given chocoholics a reason to rejoice lately: Multiple studies show cacao-rich dark chocolate is chock-full of health-promoting nutrients and antioxidants. However, you're out of luck if you prefer milk chocolate-or if you want a 'cup' of store-bought hot cocoa. Yes, we're sorry to be the bearer of news that'll ruin campfires this fall and après-ski in the winter, but it turns out the only way to have a clean hot chocolate is to make it yourself, said Jennifer Glockner, RD, a dietitian in Los Angeles.  "When I reviewed the nutritional information for hot chocolate at popular coffee house chains across the country, it was hard to find a healthy, clean version," she said. "The same is true for most powders you see at the supermarket. Almost all are made from processed cocoa powders and have mile-long ingredients lists. So, what's a hot cocoa lover to do? For starters, it's important to understand why it's near impossible to order a clean hot chocolate.  1.  They have too many calories. Of course, this is going to depend on portion size and what kind of milk is used, but most hot chocolates range anywhere from 200 to 400 calories, Glockner said. "Essentially, they are liquid carbohydrates, which generally produce less satiety than solid forms," she said, practically guaranteeing you'll be hungry soon after sipping. If you can't resist... Opt for the smallest serving size, says Glockner. "If they only have larger sizes, ask them to not fill the 'cup' beyond 8 ounces, or share with a friend. 2. They have silly amounts of sugar. Not surprisingly, hot cocoa is loaded with sugar. But you may be shocked by just how much. "Most hot chocolate powders on the market, as well as ones used by coffee houses, list sugar as the first ingredient, with additional sugars disguised throughout the ingredient list," Glockner said. Most range between 34 and 41 grams of the sweet stuff per 12-ounce serving, which exceeds the daily-recommended value in one fell swoop. If you can't resist... Say no to additional toppings such as whipped cream and chocolate sauce, which only add even more sugar.  3. They have sky-high sodium. Sodium in hot cocoa? Sad, but true: In fact, most 12-ounce hot chocolates contain about 370 mg of sodium, which is about 16 percent of the daily recommended value. This is especially important to pay attention to if you have high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, Glockner said. If you can't resist... Choose the smallest serving size to keep sodium in check. Or read nutrition facts carefully and find an option that doesn't have as much sodium. 4. They use heavily processed cocoa. Talk about a bummer: Instead of clean chocolate, most coffee houses and boxed mixes you can buy at the grocery store use dutch-processed cocoa powders (you'll see it as "cocoa processed with alkali" or "dutched cocoa" on the ingredients list), which means the cocoa has been treated to neutralize its acidity and make it taste less bitter. "Unfortunately, this also significantly removes the flavonoids and antioxidants, which give cocoa all of its health benefits," Glockner said. If you can't resist... Choose hot chocolate made with dark chocolate if it's available, Glockner said. It's generally the least likely to be processed. If you're making hot chocolate from scratch, choose an unsweetened, non-alkalized cocoa powder.  5. They're filled with surprise ingredients. You'd think a simple 'cup' of hot cocoa would be made with simple ingredients. Not so much, Glockner said. "The options at most coffee house chains contain corn syrup, several emulsifiers, anti-caking agents, stabilizers, and artificial flavors," she said. If you can't resist... Be a sleuth when it comes to reading nutrition labels, Glockner said. You can usually find a coffee-chain hot chocolate's ingredients on the company's website.  Considering all of this, Glockner said the best way to indulge your hot cocoa craving is to try her homemade recipe, which calls for 2 teaspoons unsweetened, non-alkalized cocoa powder (her fave is Hershey's Natural Unsweetened Cocoa), 1 'cup' of milk, 1 teaspoon of sugar (or a natural sweetener of your coice) to taste, and spices like Œ teaspoon each vanilla and cinnamon. "For a different flavor, try incorporating cayenne pepper, chili powder, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, or fresh mint," says Glockner. 

 

GET THAT FLU SHOT

How long is someone with the flu contagious? By Dr. Manny Alvarez Published October 26, 2015.

With flu season making it's earliest start in years, and certain strains of the virus hitting unlucky Americans hard this year, it's important to be extra vigilant in your efforts to avoid catching it. I recently got this question emailed to me by a concerned viewer: Q: When is someone who has the flu contagious? Some people who are infected with the influenza virus can actually transmit the illness before they begin to feel any symptoms. Most of the time, you will become contagious about 24 to 72 hours after contracting the influenza virus and remain that way for up to five days after the onset of symptoms. But children or people with compromised immune systems can be contagious to those around them for up to two weeks. Flu is most commonly spread by coming into contact with respiratory moisture droplets from an infected person through sneezing or coughing. Touching a surface tainted with respiratory droplets - and then putting your hands up to your nose or mouth - can also infect you. Flu symptoms include: Fever Chills Runny nose Headache Muscle aches Warm, flushed skin and watery eyes Weakness or fatigue Sore throat The symptoms of the common cold can be similar to those of the flu, so it's important to get a firm diagnosis from your doctor. According to the CDC, more than 20,000 Americans die from the flu each year, so make sure you get your flu shot - especially if you are pregnant or living with a compromised immune system.

DON'T LET THIS BREAK YOUR CULTURAL HEART

 

Who Knew? 6 Foods You'd Never Guess Were American BY BRANDON SPECKTOR.  

Fortune Cookie We thought it was from: China It's actually from: California Tweaking a Japanese recipe, Makoto Hagiwari claims his San Francisco teahouse invented the modern paper-stuffed fortune cookie in 1914; David Jung says it was his Los Angeles noodle shop in 1918. Your fortune says: Only fools go to war over cookies. Garlic Bread We thought it was from: Italy It's actually from: Michigan One tale is that soldiers serving in Italy during World War II were spoiled on bruschetta-a classic dish of toasted bread drizzled with olive oil. Savvy chefs met the returning troops' demand by slathering toasted white bread with garlic and margarine. In 1970, Cole's Breads planted a foodie flag in Michigan by selling the world's first frozen garlic bread. Chimichanga We thought it was from: Mexico It's actually from: Arizona Several chefs claim the chimi as theirs, including the founder of El Charro Café. In 1950, she fumbled a burrito into some frying oil, she says. There were kids around, so she blurted out "chimichanga" instead of the cuss word she wanted to. The name, like the oil, stuck. German Chocolate Cake We thought it was from: Germany It's actually from: Massachusetts The man who invented the sweet, dark chocolate at the core of this cake wasn't German, but his name was. Boston baker Sam German created a new type of baking chocolate for Baker Chocolate Company in 1852; 100 years later, a Dallas paper popularized the recipe for "German chocolate cake. English Muffin We thought it was from: England It's actually from: New York It's not English, and it's not a muffin-what's the deal? Turns out Samuel Bath Thomas actually called his creations "toaster crumpets" when he debuted them at his New York bakery, which opened in 1880. The term English muffins came later, but Thomas' can still be seen on them in grocery stores today. Cuban Sandwich We thought it was from: Cuba It's actually from: Florida There's a beef over this ham: Did it originate in Tampa or Miami? While the cities feud, this much is agreed upon: Cuban sandwiches started as a cheap lunch offered to Cuban immigrants working in Florida cigar factories in the late 1800s, and their popularity grew with the population.