Fruits and vegetables are part of a well-balanced and healthy eating plan. There are many different ways to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Using more fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and lean meats, nuts, and beans is a safe and healthy one. Helping control your weight is not the only benefit of eating more fruits and vegetables. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables also provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to eat less food. You can create lower-calorie versions of some of your favorite dishes by substituting low-calorie fruits and vegetables in place of higher-calorie ingredients. The water and fiber in fruits and vegetables will add volume to your dishes, so you can eat the same amount of food with fewer calories. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are filling.

Instead of a high-calorie snack from a vending machine, bring some cut-up vegetables or fruit from home. A 1-ounce bag of corn chips has as many calories as a small apple, 1 cup of whole strawberries, AND 1 cup of carrots with 1/4 cup of low-calorie dip. Substitute one or two of these options for the chips, and you will have a satisfying snack with fewer calories.

Remember: Substitution is the key.

It’s true that fruits and vegetables are lower in calories than many other foods, but they do contain some calories. If you start eating fruits and vegetables in addition to what you usually eat, you are adding calories and may gain weight. The key is substitution. Eat fruits and vegetables instead of some other higher-calorie food.

Eat fruits and vegetables the way nature provided—or with fat-free or low-fat cooking techniques.

Try steaming your vegetables, using low-calorie or low-fat dressings, and using herbs and spices to add flavor. Some cooking techniques, such as breading and frying, or using high-fat dressings or sauces will greatly increase the calories and fat in the dish. And eat your fruit raw to enjoy its natural sweetness.

Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are also good options.
Frozen or canned fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as the fresh varieties. However, be careful to choose those without added sugar, syrup, cream sauces, or other ingredients that will add calories.

Choose whole fruit over fruit drinks and juices. Fruit juices have lost fiber from the fruit.
It is better to eat the whole fruit because it contains the added fiber that helps you feel full. One 6-ounce serving of orange juice has 85 calories, compared to just 65 calories in a medium orange.

Whole fruit gives you a bigger size snack than the same fruit dried—for the same number of calories.
A small box of raisins (1/4 cup) is about 100 calories. For the same number of calories, you can eat 1 cup of grapes.

“A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check.”

Harvard T.H. CHAN  (harvard.edu)

Some foods have more than their great taste but also healthy vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting nutrients. Pack your meals adding this range of wholesome choices to your diet.

1.) Alfalfa sprouts – you can add them to your salad, fruits, lean meats, even for you vegetarians to your veggie or bean burger. You be creative and try alfalfa sprouts to many of your lunch and dinner meals.

2.) Apples are the richest fruit source of pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, decrease the risk of colon and breast cancers, and maybe even lessen the severity of diabetes. Try throwing a few slices on your sandwich or toss with your salads adding toasted pecans/walnuts or whatever nuts you love, and have a light vinaigrette for a delicious salad (one of my favorite is raspberry flavored). With so many varieties available, you’ll never get bored finding new ways to have apples to your daily diet.

3.) Avocados Just one half of a medium-size avocado contains more than 4 grams of fiber and 15% of your recommended daily folate intake. Cholesterol-free and rich in monounsaturated fats and potassium, avocados are also a powerhouse for heart health. Avocados can be the base for a creamy homemade sandwich spread, or add a few chunks to your favorite salsa for a simple and delicious way to dress up grilled chicken or fish. Beets are loaded with antioxidants and have been found to protect against cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. Naturally sweet and full of fiber and vitamin C, beets make a delicious and nutrient-packed addition to any meal. 4.) Beets give a try as finely grated raw beets in your salads or roast them along with sweet potatoes and parsnips for a colorful and flavorful side-dish—just remember if you boil them it will decrease their nutritional value. And don’t forget about the leafy green tops, which are rich in iron and folate, and can be prepared much like their cousins, Swiss chard and spinach

5.) Cranberries great for protecting against urinary tract infections, but did you also know they may improve blood cholesterol and aid in recovery from strokes? Cranberry juice has also been shown to make cancer drugs more potent. Remember, the available frozen year-round, enjoy these tart and tangy berries fresh during their peak season which is from October through December.

6.) Papayas-Trying to get more vitamin C in your diet? One cup of papaya cubes supplies more than 100% of your daily requirement, as well as a hefty dose of potassium and folate. It is also a good source of vitamins A and E, two powerful antioxidants that protect against heart disease and colon cancer. Savor the rich, and enjoy a buttery flesh of this tropical fruit in smoothies and salads, or simply scoop it out of the shell with a spoon.

7.) Quinoa-Is a packed with a variety of nutrients, including iron and copper, this has been known as the ancient seed “the mother of all grains.” Quinoa contains all the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein (perfect for vegans and vegetarians). It is also a great source of magnesium, which relaxes blood vessels and has been found to reduce the frequency of migraines. Researchers have found that consuming dietary fiber, specifically from whole-grain products such as quinoa, reduces the risk of high blood pressure and heart attack. Keep your engine of the body=THE HEART in top shape by substituting quinoa for rice or pasta in your next meal. It makes a great base for seafood dishes and mixes well with beans.

8.) Raspberries-The tart, sweet, and incredibly juicy fruit. Have one half cup of these berries provides a whopping 4 grams of fiber and more than 25% of the daily recommended intake for both vitamin C and manganese. Raspberries also contain a powerful arsenal of antioxidants, including members of the anthocyanin family, which give raspberries their ruby-red hue and antimicrobial properties. I enjoy them in my salad or raw in my hand, after washing them but try a few berries with your morning cereal if you want.

9.) Spinach-Powerful antioxidants in spinach have been found to combat a variety of cancers, including ovarian, breast, and colon cancers. And it’s good for the noggin: Research indicates that spinach reduces the decline in brain function associated with aging and protects the heart from cardiovascular disease. Although it contains relatively high amounts of iron and calcium, oxalate compounds bind to these minerals and diminish their absorption. This vegetable has a mild flavor, so I spice it up with garlic, or you can try olive oil, and onions.

“In the 1980s and 1990s, the Internet widened in scope to encompass the IT capabilities of universities and research centers, and, later on, public entities, institutions, and private enterprises from around the world. The Internet underwent immense growth; it was no longer a state-controlled project, but the largest computer network in the world, comprising over 50,000 sub-networks, 4 million systems, and 70 million users.”

www.bbvaopenmind.com

CABBAGE PATCH KIDS – DOLLS – DREAM TOYS 2004, THE TOP TEN TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS 2004, (ALPHABETICAL ORDER) BRATZ, CABBAGE PATCH KIDS, GAMES, DORA THE EXPLORER, LEAPSTER, POWER RANGERS, ROBOSAPIENS, TAMAGOTCHI, TRAMPOLINES, AND V-SMILE.OPS.

Inventions and Christmas impacts in the 1980’s that affected our society than & even today including our future down the road:

-1980s Chevy Chase The Christmas show “National Lampoon Christmas” movie.

-One flop after another with trying to do regular ideas decorations.

-Saturday mornings were a time to look forward too.  Pee Wee’s play house and Christmas special.  For some it became traditional for some even this day.  If you watch one in your life time than watch the Christmas special.

After attracting adults than he went to children to a romper room on its head which became successful with embracing the spirit of Christmas.  It instantly created a following to an adult comedy in the end.  It was so ridiculous that all ages can love it. 

2010 Pee Wee brought himself to the playhouse.

-Than we have Christmas crunch from Captain Crunch.

– The movie “A Christmas story”.  To many its darling, a Christmas tradition, to some it never gets old.

To others a museum was even made like the house in the movie.  It captures what the family should be like during the holidays.

What technological innovation changed our nation from the 1980’s to today including what toys still impact society invented back than that kids simply feel they have to have on birthdays to the holidays:

-Camcorders allowed parents to grab every smile on every face they wanted with home videos the wave of the future.  It was an absolute game changer, magical thing and exciting for Christmas time to watch each over and over, since the projector.  Shooting a video became a favorite past time that is done to this day from a suitcase cumbersome sign to a cell phone.  1500 dollars it was to now a cell phone a couple of hundred or less.  Lets thank the camcorder that started this technogy.  It was a step in advancement for our video technology.

-A Microwave revolution for ovens.  The oven came out in 1955 and in the 80s than the Microwave (MW).  Only 10% when they first came out had MWs but by the end of the 1980s almost all had it with more working women in the force.  You would get a microwave oven cookbook and is the left overs best friend and still used this way where some say they can’t live without it, me being one of those.

-Denny’s closed up for Christmas.  Numerous amounts of Denny’s restaurant had to be locked up but a lot of managers of their restaurant couldn’t find the keys and had many of them with new locks applied.    This costed Denny’s about 5millions that year in allowing their employees to have off on Christmas day which they said was worth it; you think we would see that attitude today with employers? MMMMM, I don’t know about that.

-Atari 600 changed every boys life having all these different games in the house but today it’s hard to believe you had to play in a video game place as opposed into the house by yourself or with friends in a home today.

Today play on videos in the house lets you place almost identical to in the video stores. 

Gameboy was the first mobile video games in the 1980s

It was the socially alienating decade.  Bill Gates time, William Henry “Bill” Gates III (born October 28, 1955) is an American business magnate, entrepreneur, investor, author, and philanthropist. In 1975, together with Paul Allen, he co-founded Microsoft, which became the world’s largest PC software company. During his career at Microsoft, Gates held the positions of chairman, CEO and chief software architect, and was the largest individual shareholder until May 2014. Gates has authored and co-authored several books.

Starting in 1987, Gates was included in the Forbes list of the world’s wealthiest people and was the wealthiest from 1995 to 2007, again in 2009, and has been since 2014.  Between 2009 and 2014, his wealth doubled from US$40 billion to more than US$82 billion.  Between 2013 and 2014, his wealth increased by US$15 billion.  Gates is currently the richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$84 billion as of December 2016.

Gates is one of the best-known entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution.

-The members only jacket was the style in the 1980s

-Today the distinct look is ear plugs in the ears

The walkman was the starting of ear plugs carring their IPs with not listening in the car or in the house but on the run.  Aniston says it was a big invention in that time.  The batteries constantly running out Susan Olsen stated (from the Brady Bunch, Cindy).  It did more for Americans in the 1980s for holiday parties or gifts in recording tapes.

The walkman was Sony’s. 

-The special Santa to get Nancy Reagan to sit on her lap Mr.T in 1983 at the white house.  The A team was at its peak at this point.   JR, Donni Dem Luis, Reagan himself, but Mr. T topped them all (feathers in the ears and let us not forget the gold)

-A very special Christmas to benefit the special Olympics,  A rap group AX MEN “RUN DMC”  The first rap act in 1980s.  Clarence back door Santa they looked at to make something gritty and authentic with a rap that has been over 30 years and is still a strong memory of the 1980s.

Before this rock stars made 1984 a memory with helping Africa Ithopia.   British singers brought together and Boy George who almost forgot, Michael,  for the spirit of Christmas with in the first release has gone from 12million to over 200 million with revisions made by super stars.

This moment started a regular thing with famous people doing donation through singing gatherings with famous singers and actors in the future years to now.

-Than we had Riots started in the stores to now the stores not even doing it like they use to for the holidays because of human behavior (negative by the way—running people over, greedy stealing gifts out of people’s hands, pretty sad our society has gotten like that.  Merry Merry).

-Madonna singing about material, Fond memories about Xmas

-A cuddly toy at every kids Christmas list and let’s not forget the CUDDLY CABBAGE PATCH DOLL- Why because different hair colors, a black doll or white, from a RN to construction worker.   You would have doll lines consisting of hundreds of people out of the stores and have the riot rampage to run over people and by end of 1983  3 million were sold.  They became the fabric of America.  They were on a postage stamp.  They are sold to this day (never as huge as in the 1980s when they first came out)

-Most untraditional singers was the Raisens 1987.

-Another 1980s craze that we take for granted is the COMPUTER.   Couldn’t ask for a better Christmas present.  Time magazine called it the machine of the machine over a man of the year.  Asking was the computer our future?  Where we learned how to use it for work, home and play.  It was considered the height of future technology and is, look at us today.

Apple, He gave in a interview he would be the man but the computer was.

Now we can reach and share out all over, what a Christmas present that was given to us back than not even knowing where the computer was taking us in future technology.

-Holidays that rock the time-The Berlin wall broken down 1989. The wall game down the happiest moment to German’s and gave freedom.  Mr. Gofetroff tore down this wall Reagan states to the country and a night for a divided nation to come together again, to be so life changing their in Germany and around the wall.

Leonard Bernstein conducted a symphony  in front and behind the wall and it was watched by many who came together over this one issue making it mind spiritual and gathering all across the world.  Giving a new rise to Americans we had a super power.  It made many feel freedon is coming to the world.

-Paul Newman began starting on traditional making of his own salad dressings.  It was 1982 he started his a new business in salad dressings that had expanded to marinara sauces and more with giving donations from this business to this day to many charities (his profits).

-The final stocking stuffers in the 1980’s were Rubik’s cube, masters of the universe, transformers, smurfs,  bears, Koosh balls, and the real ghost busters.

There you have it, Christmas in the 1980s and still a cherish heart to so many today!  Even a continued tradition to many young ones who don’t even realize these toys start from the 1980s besides technology alone.  What an awesome time with many minds of creativity!

Merry Post Christmas Day & Happy Boxing Day!

“Guillain-Barré is diagnosed based on your child’s symptoms and the results of some specific tests. A pediatrician or pediatric neurologist will examine your child, review his or her medical history, and ask about specific symptoms.   Your child will probably need to be admitted to the hospital so doctors can watch for complications and help him or her recover.  Guillain-Barré syndrome is very treatable, and most of children recover fully or with only mild long-term weakness. Most children can go home from the hospital within a week.”  Know this disease can strike at any age.”

Boston Childen’s Hospital

Medical Management: Patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome will be hospitalized initially (medical emergency). It is important to monitor the individual s respiration carefully. If breathing problems are severe he/she may be placed in an ICU (intensive care unit) and put on a ventilator. According to the National Health Service, the two main initial treatment options for Guillain-Barre syndrome are intravenous immunoglobulin, which is safer and easier to give, or plasmapheres (plasma exchange).

How is Guillain-Barré syndrome diagnosed?

The initial signs and symptoms of GBS are varied and there are several disorders with similar symptoms.  Therefore, doctors may find it difficult to diagnose GBS in its earliest stages.

Physicians will note whether the symptoms appear on both sides of the body (the typical finding in Guillain-Barré syndrome) and the speed with which the symptoms appear (in other disorders, muscle weakness may progress over months rather than days or weeks). In GBS, deep tendon reflexes in the legs, such as knee jerks, are usually lost. Reflexes may also be absent in the arms. Because the signals traveling along the nerve are slow, a nerve conduction velocity test (NCV, which measures the nerve’s ability to send a signal) can provide clues to aid the diagnosis. There is a change in the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the spinal cord and brain in people with GBS. Researchers have found the fluid contains more protein than usual but very few immune cells (measured by white blood cells). Therefore, a physician may decide to perform a spinal tap or lumbar puncture to obtain a sample of spinal fluid to analyze. In this procedure, a needle is inserted into the person’s lower back and a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid is withdrawn from the spinal cord. This procedure is usually safe, with rare complications.

Key diagnostic findings include:

• Recent onset, within days to at most four weeks of symmetric weakness, usually starting in the legs
• Abnormal sensations such as pain, numbness, and tingling in the feet that accompany or even occur before weakness
• Absent or diminished deep tendon reflexes in weak limbs
• Elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein without elevated cell count.This may take up to 10 days from onset of symptoms to develop.
• Abnormal nerve conduction velocity findings, such as slow signal conduction
• Sometimes, a recent viral infection or diarrhea.

How is Guillain-Barré treated?

There is no known cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome. However, some therapies can lessen the severity of the illness and shorten recovery time. There are also several ways to treat the complications of the disease.

Because of possible complications of muscle weakness, problems that can affect any paralyzed person (such as pneumonia or bed sores) and the need for sophisticated medical equipment, individuals with Guillain-Barré syndrome are usually admitted and treated in a hospital’s intensive care unit.

Acute care

There are currently two treatments commonly used to interrupt immune-related nerve damage. One is plasma exchange (PE, also called plasmapheresis); the other is high-dose immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg). Both treatments are equally effective if started within two weeks of onset of GBS symptoms, but immunoglobulin is easier to administer. Using both treatments in the same person has no proven benefit.

In the process of plasma exchange, a plastic tube called a catheter is inserted into the person’s veins, through which some blood is removed. The blood cells from the liquid part of the blood (plasma) are extracted and returned to the person. This technique seems to reduce the severity and duration of the Guillain-Barré episode. Plasma contains antibodies and PE removes some plasma; PE may work by removing the bad antibodies that have been damaging the nerves.

Immunoglobulins are proteins that the immune system naturally makes to attack infecting organisms. IVIg therapy involves intravenous injections of these immunoglobulins. The immunoglobulins are developed from a pool of thousands of normal donors. When IVIg is given to people with GBS, the result can be a lessening of the immune attack on the nervous system. The IVIg can also shorten recovery time. Investigators believe this treatment also lowers the levels or effectiveness of antibodies that attack the nerves by both “diluting” them with non-specific antibodies and providing antibodies that bind to the harmful antibodies and take them out of commission.

Miller-Fisher syndrome that is a rare, acquired nerve disease that is considered to be a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome, is also treated with plasmapheresis and IVIg.

Anti-inflammatory steroid hormones called corticosteroids have also been tried to reduce the severity of Guillain-Barré syndrome. However, controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that this treatment is not effective.

Supportive care is very important to address the many complications of paralysis as the body recovers and damaged nerves begin to heal. Respiratory failure can occur in GBS, so close monitoring of a person’s breathing should be instituted initially. Sometimes a mechanical ventilator is used to help support or control breathing. The autonomic nervous system (that regulates the functions of internal organs and some of the muscles in the body) can also be disturbed, causing changes in heart rate, blood pressure, toileting, or sweating. Therefore, the person should be put on a heart monitor or equipment that measures and tracks body function. Occasionally GBS-related nerve damage can lead to difficulty handling secretions in the mouth and throat. In addition to the person choking and/or drooling, secretions can fall into the airway and cause pneumonia.

Rehabilitative care

As individuals begin to improve, they are usually transferred from the acute care hospital to a rehabilitation setting. Here, they can regain strength, receive physical rehabilitation and other therapy to resume activities of daily living, and prepare to return to their pre-illness life.

Complications in GBS can affect several parts of the body. Often, even before recovery begins, caregivers may use several methods to prevent or treat complications. For example, a therapist may be instructed to manually move and position the person’s limbs to help keep the muscles flexible and prevent muscle shortening. Injections of blood thinners can help prevent dangerous blood clots from forming in leg veins. Inflatable cuffs may also be placed around the legs to provide intermittent compression. All or any of these methods helps prevent blood stagnation and sludging (the buildup of red blood cells in veins, which could lead to reduced blood flow) in the leg veins. Muscle strength may not return uniformly; some muscles that get stronger faster may tend to take over a function that weaker muscles normally perform—called substitution. The therapist should select specific exercises to improve the strength of the weaker muscles so their original function can be regained.

Occupational and vocational therapy help individuals learn new ways to handle everyday functions that may be affected by the disease, as well as work demands and the need for assistive devices and other adaptive equipment and technology.

What is the long-term outlook for those with GBS?

Guillain-Barré syndrome can be a devastating disorder because of its sudden and rapid, unexpected onset of weakness—and usually actual paralysis. Fortunately, 70% of people with GBS eventually experience full recovery. With careful intensive care and successful treatment of infection, autonomic dysfunction and other medical complications, even those individuals with respiratory failure usually survive.

Typically, the point of greatest weakness occurs days to at most 4 weeks after the first symptoms occur. Symptoms then stabilize at this level for a period of days, weeks, or, sometimes months. Recovery, however, can be slow or incomplete. The recovery period may be as little as a few weeks up to a few years. Some individuals still report ongoing improvement after 2 years. About 30 percent of those with Guillain-Barré have residual weakness after 3 years. About 3 percent may suffer a relapse of muscle weakness and tingling sensations many years after the initial attack. About 15 percent of individuals experience long-term weakness; some may require ongoing use of a walker, wheelchair, or ankle support. Muscle strength may not return uniformly.

Ongoing fatigue, pain, and other annoying sensations can sometimes be troublesome. Fatigue is best handled by pacing activities and providing time for rest when fatigue sets in. Those with Guillain-Barré syndrome face not only physical difficulties, but emotionally painful periods as well. It is often extremely difficult for individuals to adjust to sudden paralysis and dependence on others for help with routine daily activities. Individuals sometimes need psychological counseling to help them adapt. Support groups can often ease emotional strain and provide valuable information.

“Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS) is associated with cranial nerve involvement. Commonest cranial nerves involved were the facial and bulbar (IXth and Xth). Involvement of twelfth cranial nerve is rare in GBS.”

U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health