Most of us think of holidays as one of those few days our employer actually pays us to stay home. We all know the big ones: New Year's, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas. And yes, some employers are a little more generous but most likely you'll have no more than 7 days a year that you consider a holiday. Depending on your religious beliefs you may add a few more to that annual list, and find that you're up to a dozen or so.
For a day to be considered a "National Holiday" it needs to be declared so by Congress. And then of course we have the "commercial holidays" that we all love, which in effect are simply days that have become popular over the years. We all love them, but for some of us that just isn't enough. Organizations, corporation, and even loosely connected groups of people can "declare" a day for any reason they choose. Some of these days catch on and become popular with the general population, some remain only recognized by their creator, and some fizzle out and become a mere memory after only a year or two.
The point is - Every day, somewhere someone is celebrating something.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

August 29, 2010 ~ More Herbs Less Salt

No...not that kind of  "HERB"


I suppose Mrs. Dash has been waiting all year for this day.    I actually like the taste of Mrs. Dash, and you can find some great recipes and ideas on the Mrs Dash website (the image should link you there)

If your salt intake is high, this is the day to make some changes.  High sodium levels can cause high blood pressure which can lead to stroke, heart attack, osteoporosis, and asthma.

While the average American consumes over 3000 mg of sodium a day, the American Heart Association recommends that you lower your sodium intake to 1500 mg per day. 

The AHA gives you these
Tips for reducing sodium in the diet

  • Choose fresh, frozen or canned food items without added salts.
  • Select unsalted nuts or seeds, dried beans, peas and lentils.
  • Limit salty snacks like chips and pretzels.
  • Avoid adding salt and canned vegetables to homemade dishes.
  • Select unsalted, lower sodium, fat-free broths, bouillons or soups.
  • Select fat-free or low-fat milk, low-sodium, low-fat cheeses and low-fat yogurt.
  • Learn to use spices and herbs to enhance the taste of your food.  Most spices naturally contain very small amounts of sodium.
  • Add fresh lemon juice instead of salt to fish and vegetables.
  • Specify how you want your food prepared when dining out. Ask for your dish to be prepared without salt.
  • Don’t use the salt shaker. Use the pepper shaker or mill.
Posted by Rita Ballantyne at 8:00 AM
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