Thursday, November 29, 2018

Musing.....

As I am cleaning and baking, prepping for the Sabbath, my mind is wondering. I got to thinking about what Grandma used to say: "We shouldn't clean before guests come over, they will just make a mess and you'll have to clean after anyway." (Such a wise, practical woman!) However, I remember getting her house ready for large groups of people for Sabbath afternoon. One of the jobs that fell to my sister and I was polishing the dining furniture - huge oak table, chairs and buffet. Lots of nooks and crannys! I can still smell it.....

But that got me to thinking about one particular Sabbath my grandparents had the guest speaker from church and a whole slew of people over. I only met that pastor that one time (I think his name was Elder Espinosa?), but he made such an impact on me! Why? Because he took the time to teach us kids some songs. I have enjoyed those songs throughout my life!

So I guess my point is....no matter how silly the little ditty (who knew that John Brown's Baby Had a Cold Upon His Chest would be so much fun!), or how little time you have with a child. If you teach them a song or tell them a story, no matter how silly....time spent with a child will make a difference.

If a one time visit can make a difference, just think the impact we Grandparents can make! Even if we can't carry a tune in a bucket!

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Sugar - Fructose

No automatic alt text available.Fructose is the only food molecule on the planet with no corresponding hormone in the brain that tells us when we've eaten enough of it - we have no 'off switch' for the stuff. Which means we overeat it. That's why you can drink a mega cup of Coke and not 'feel' full. Worse, studies show it stimulates appetite, making us eat more of everything. Worse still, research shows it's more addictive than heroine and cocaine. Fructose is in almost every kind of sweetner.
DATES: 30% fructose (total sugar content 60%)
HONEY AND MAPLE SYRUP: 40% fructose
AGAVE: 70-90% fructose
COCONUT SUGAR/NECTAR/SYRUP: 38-49% fructose
RICE MALT SYRUP: The only sweetener that is 100% fructose free, is a natural sweetener made from fermented, cooked rice and a blend of complex carbohydrates, maltose and glucose. It is relatively slow-releasing so does not dump on the liver as much as pure glucose.
(BEWARE: Even rice malt syrup, stevia and artificial sweeteners can cause blood-sugar spikes and mess with the reward centre in our brains - continuing the sugar addiction. Also keep in mind that like other sugars, rice malt syrup is empty calories with almost no nutritional value)