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Garlic, also known as the 'stinking rose,' is a member of the lily family, along with onions, shallots, leeks and chives. It has a long and interesting history and has been used for both cooking and medicinal purposes for thousands of years.

It is mentioned in the Chinese-Sanskrit writings, 3000 BC. Homer praised garlic. The Vikings packed it for their long sea voyages, and in the Middle Ages, it was used to fight off the plague. According to folklore, garlic possesses magical powers and is widely used in charms and spells to protect against evil.

And in modern times, a number of scientific studies have demonstrated that regular consumption of garlic may affect our bodies in a number of ways:

• destroy Candida albicans, a fungus responsible for yeast infections,
  
• inhibit bacteria,
  
• lower serum cholesterol,
  
• reduce systolic blood pressure,
  
• lower blood sugar levels, and
  
• fight the common cold.
  A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat. - Old New York Yiddish Saying

  The magic ingredient is Allicin, a sulphur bearing chemical in garlic that gives it its smell. When the cloves are crushed, cut, chewed, mashed or smashed, they release this compound, which destroys bacteria, fungus, and yeast. (Note: Allicin breaks down with cooking, so cooked garlic and "de-odorized" garlic may lack this chemical.)

  Garlic also contains small amounts of vitamins A, B, C and E, and the minerals potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, and iron.

  Tomatoes and oregano make it Italian; wine and tarragon make it French. Sour cream makes it Russian; lemon and cinnamon make it Greek. Soy sauce makes it Chinese; garlic makes it good!" - Alice May Brock

  More from the Our Lady of Weight Loss kitchens:
  Pumpkin Seeds: Best ANTI-DEPRESSANT?
  Autumn Recipes

  Spread the word ... NOT the Icing!
  Janice

  Reserve your seat at the Holiday Table!
  The Holiday Diet: Wake Up Thinner!
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  Does your weight loss chart look like an EKG?
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  Required Reading:Our Lady of Weight Loss: Miraculous and Motivational Musings from the Patron Saint of Permanent Fat Removal an OPRAH BOOK CLUB pick: Summer 2009 - Buy NOW!

  Join the Our Lady of Weight Loss's Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

  Write Janice Taylor, Weight Loss Coach, Certified Hypnotist, Author and 50-pound big-time-loser for an introductory one-on-one coaching session.

  Visit: www.OurLadyofWeightLoss.com
  www.JaniceTaylorLiving.com
  
  Visit Our Lady of Weight Loss.
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According to Aegean myth, the first artichoke was a divine young woman who lived on the island of Zinari. One day the Greek god, Zeus, visited his brother Poseidon (God of the Sea). (They were some powerful family.)

Zeus emerged from the sea to discover a beautiful young mortal woman. She did not seem frightened by him or seem to notice that he was a god. Zeus, naturally, took full advantage of the opportunity and seduced her. Her name was Cynara, and it all 'went' so well that he decided to make her a goddess. This would enable her to live near to his home on Mt. Olympus. (Long distance romance was not his thing.)

Cynara agreed. Zeus had a plan. He thought that whenever his wife Hera was away, he'd get together with Cynara. However, Cynara soon became homesick. She missed her mother, so she slipped back to the earth for a short but meaningful visit with the mortals. When she returned, it was quite apparent that she had a new attitude. Zeus wasn't particularly happy with her un-goddess-like behavior. He threw a fit and tossed her back to earth, and he changed her into the plant that we now call the artichoke.

The Modern Day Artichoke:
The artichoke is a part of the thistle group; a member of the sunflower family. The plant can reach heights of three to four feet, and its diameter can cover a six foot area. The "vegetable" we eat is actually the plant's flower bud, and if allowed to flower, a gorgeous violet-blue blossom will present itself.

Artichokes are available twelve months a year, but their peak season is spring and fall. Most artichokes are grown in France, Italy, and Spain, but California farms nearly 100 percent of the United States' crop. Baby artichokes are a smaller version of the larger artichokes. The flowers buds are picked from the lower part of the plant, where they receive less sun, which therefore stunts their growth.

Recent German studies indicate that artichoke extract lowers cholesterol.

Artichoke Salad

Ingredients:
2- 6 ounce cans chunk light tuna in water
1- 16-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 cup chopped black olives
1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in bowl. Mix with enthusiasm. Enjoy!

More Succulent Surprises from Our Lady of Weight Loss:
Moon Explosions of a Culinary Kind
A Noodle & A Prayer: Best Lasagna Ever
De-Lish!!! Plain and Simple

Spread the word ... NOT the Icing!
Janice
________________________________

Does your weight loss chart look like an EKG?
In need of a coach? Write Janice!

Follow Janice on Twitter and/or Facebook!

Required Reading:Our Lady of Weight Loss: Miraculous and Motivational Musings from the Patron Saint of Permanent Fat Removal an OPRAH BOOK CLUB pick: Summer 2009 - Buy NOW!

Join the Our Lady of Weight Loss's Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

Write Janice Taylor, Weight Loss Coach, Certified Hypnotist, Author and 50-pound big-time-loser for an introductory one-on-one coaching session.

Visit: www.OurLadyofWeightLoss.com
www.JaniceTaylorLiving.com

Visit Our Lady of Weight Loss.
about Janice

This Beliefnet blogger went nuts when she thought her beloved nuts were not going to accompany her on the road to Sveltesville ... Until ...

Our Lady of Weight Loss whispered to her, "True enough, little nutty one. Nuts are high in calories and fat, but they are yum delicious, good for you and when eaten in small amounts may help to control your appetite."

Is She NUTS?

Nuts and seeds are nutritious and are a good source of non-animal protein, fiber, B vitamins, selenium, zinc and Vitamin E. They may reduce the risk of cancer, and they have anti-aging properties! They are infinitely better for you than highly processed, empty calorie snacks!

The fat in nuts is pretty high (50%), but it's mostly monounsaturated fat - the good kind - that helps increase HDL levels in the blood. Most nuts and seeds are naturally low in saturated and trans fatty acids - the two types of fats that are dangerous to the heart and arteries.

Consider including nuts and seeds as part of your daily fat requirement, rather than the usual vegetable oils, margarines or animal fats like butter.

Nuts eaten in small amounts, might help to control your appetite. The fat and protein combo satiates for a longer period of time than carbohydrate snacks. The stomach empties more slowly and the fiber content gives you a sense of fullness.

Now, don't go completely nuts! Remember, one tablespoon of nuts equals one fat serving.

The Do's and Don'ts of NUTS!

* DO sprinkle a tablespoon of nuts or seeds on your salad.

* DO add a tablespoon of nuts or seeds to your sandwich. Nice 'n crunchy.

* DON'T eat nuts or seeds that are roasted in oil! It's double trouble!

* DON'T buy nuts or seeds that look old or have mold on them. (Did I really have to tell you that?)

* DO eat your nuts and seeds in a reasonably short amount of time, one month tops, lest they get rancid.

* DO try walnut or pumpkin oil for a variety of taste. Use them sparingly and do not heat them (lest oxidation will occur).

And ... here's a Righteous Recipe from Kick in the Tush Club member Marilyn from MI. who has permanently removed 25 lbs. of excess weight (75 lbs. to go!) Kudos to Marilyn for being healthy! (clap, clap, clap)

"I attended a potluck this weekend (oy vey!) and needed something quick, healthy, and different, so I took a quick inventory of my 'fridge, and this is what I came up with. Got a ton of compliments and had to write it out for a couple gals on the spot."

Marilyn's Salad a 'la Nutty Granny"

Ingredients:
Granny Smith apple
4 cups baby spinach leaves
2 cups torn romaine
1/2 cup of crumbled Feta
1/2 cup of toasted walnuts, roughly chopped

Instructions:
Very thinly slice a Granny Smith apple. (I use a mandoline for convenience.) Immediately drop slices into a small bowl of cool water into which you've squeezed the juice of half a lemon. Set aside.

Combine:
4 cups baby spinach leaves
2 cups torn romaine
1/2 cup of crumbled Feta
1/2 cup of toasted walnuts, roughly chopped

Drain apple slices and pat dry. Toss with other ingredients and dress with fat free raspberry salad dressing. Crispy, crunchy, and refreshing. The pink and green colors would make this a very attractive salad if arranged on a platter instead of tossed.

Peanut Butter Smack a.k.a. PB & Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 small ripe banana, broken in chunks
1 1/2-cups cold milk; 1% or 2% or even fat-free#
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter (natural or organic)
a splash of vanilla

Instructions:
In blender or food processor whirl all ingredients until smooth, frothy and yum delcious! Makes 2 servings.

More Fat-Burning Recipes!
Lasagna!
Lemon Angel Rocks!
Labor Day Pig-Out

Spread the word, NOT the icing!
Janice

____________________________________

Follow Janice on Twitter and/or Facebook!

Required Reading:Our Lady of Weight Loss: Miraculous and Motivational Musings from the Patron Saint of Permanent Fat Removal an OPRAH BOOK CLUB pick: Summer 2009 - Buy NOW!

Join the Our Lady of Weight Loss's Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

Write Janice Taylor, Weight Loss Coach, Certified Hypnotist, Author and 50-pound big-time-loser for an introductory one-on-one coaching session.

Visit Our Lady of Weight Loss.
about Janice

It takes both chutzpah and cojones (both indigenous to NYC) to roll out a campaign that takes on the beverage industry. And that's just what the New York City Department of Health has done with its "Pouring on the Pounds campaign," that effectively highlights the anti-health impact of sugary, sweetened drinks.

The cost of the multi-lingual ad campaign is about $277,000. It will run in 1,500 subway cars for three months.

Its signature image is a bottle of soda (or sugary substance of your choice) that is pouring into a glass. As it reaches the glass, the liquid turns to fatty globules. A stunning reminder of how these high-calorie products are empty calories that lead to obesity and other related health problems and diseases, particularly diabetes and heart disease, stroke, arthritis and cancer.

The ad queries, "Are you pouring on the pounds?" And it warns, "Don't drink yourself fat." Needless to say, one can quench their thirst with water.

According to the American Heart Association, Americans now consume on average 22 teaspoons of sugar per day or 355 calories. The NYC Department of Health found that more than 2 million New Yorkers drink at least one sugar-sweetened beverage each day, averaging 250 calories per 'pop.'

Sweetened beverage consumption is highest among 18-44 year old and among adult blacks and Hispanics.

How We Learn:

If you consider the research conducted by Child Development Theorist Linda Kreger Silverman, which indicates that approximately 75% of the population learns from visual cues and 65% from words (25% exclusively), then utilizing visual campaigns that are heavy in images and words, makes perfect sense.

My only question is this: $277,000 seems a small amount of money to pay to deliver such an important message. Why only 3 months? Why only in New York City?

To the rest of the nation, I say, "Hey, ramp up the chutzpah and get some cojones." And to the NYC Health Department, I say, "Super-size this campaign and count me in!"

More things that you really do want to know! YES, you do!
How much is fat costing America?
End Overeating: Diet Doctor Kicks Tush
Diets don't work ... a kick in the tush does!

Spread the word ... NOT the icing!
Janice
____________________________________

Follow Janice on Twitter and/or Facebook!

Required Reading:Our Lady of Weight Loss: Miraculous and Motivational Musings from the Patron Saint of Permanent Fat Removal an OPRAH BOOK CLUB pick: Summer 2009 - Buy NOW!

Join the Our Lady of Weight Loss's Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

Write Janice Taylor, Weight Loss Coach, Certified Hypnotist, Author and 50-pound big-time-loser for an introductory one-on-one coaching session.

Visit Our Lady of Weight Loss.
about Janice

A Serious Sugar Shout-Out from Our Lady of Weight Loss. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) the average American will munch through, chow down and/or guzzle 22 teaspoons, or 355 calories of sugar today (and tomorrow and the next day)!

For those of you who are thinking, "Not me, I only put 2 teaspoons in my one cup of coffee in the morning," think again!

Sugar is added to - geeze - just about every packaged food out there. Take a look at the labels and word up - if any of these words appear - you are ingesting sugar, big time!

corn sweetener
corn syrup
dextrose glucose
high fructose corn syrup
honey
maltose
malt syrup
molasses
sucrose
syrup

The biggest problem is that we are, on average, consuming 355 calories per day of empty calories that do absolutely nothing for us but rather work against us vs. nutrient rich calories that help us to burn bright and happy throughout the day. Sugar is associated with obesity, having high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides, and oxidative stress and inflammation.

What to do?
Read labels! At the very least, own up to what you are doing to yourself!
Eliminate soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages. Just one can of soda contains 130 calories and 8 teaspoons of sugar.
Steer clear of process foods! Go Fresh!

The Outer Limits!
The AHA suggests that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons per day (about 100 calories or 25 grams) of added sugar; and men no more than 9 teaspoons (about 150 calories or 37.5 grams).

More Life-Changing Food News:
Give Kraft a Kick in the Tush: Harmful chemicals in your mac & cheese?
Cooking Off the Couch: 3 Scrumptious De-Lish Recession Proof Recipes
Belly Fat Cure

Spread the word ... NOT the icing!
Janice

----------------------------------

Follow Janice on Twitter and/or Facebook!

Required Reading:Our Lady of Weight Loss: Miraculous and Motivational Musings from the Patron Saint of Permanent Fat Removal an OPRAH BOOK CLUB pick: Summer 2009 - Buy NOW!

Join the Our Lady of Weight Loss's Kick in the Tush Club: Beliefnet Chapter.

Write Janice Taylor, Weight Loss Coach, Certified Hypnotist, Author and 50-pound big-time-loser for an introductory one-on-one coaching session.

Visit Our Lady of Weight Loss.
about Janice