Help me Brainstorm....

Hi all.. I am currently brainstorming ideas for my research thesis for my Master's Degree. You are all such a great source of information and I know that those of you that come to my blog and read regularly are either my Mom or a fan of learning to eat healthy or eating healthy. So of course and as usual I love to come to you all for ideas.

So tell me what you would you love to read more research about in the field of nutrition. Remember this is a brainstorm so no idea is too big or small.... Let's hear it!!

Also, I am in need of a volunteer to fill out and food and liquid activity form for me (for a current project due in a few weeks) One day is all I am asking. I can send it to you in word or pdf format. Any takers.... Please?

The Veggies are Coming!!!

Long gone are the days when I can not grow a cactus! I have been experimenting with growing herbs and a few simple potted veggies for a few years. Last year I grew enough basil and cucumbers to feed the neighborhood. This year I am going all out. All the plants are organic and have been started from seed. I am hopeful that they will grow and mature into beautiful tasty and healthy fruit and vegetable plants. I am excited that they are growing so quickly.

Next weekend we will be getting the ground ready and getting these lovely plants ready to be transferred into the ground! Can't wait! Hopes for this year, Basil, tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, watermelon, bell peppers, spinach and lettuce mix. We were given some organic carrot, corn and green bean seeds and will put them in the ground soon too. Wish me luck. I hope to be eating some fresh yummy produce all summer long!

Interesting and surprising project Update....

I am just updating you all on my nutrition project, the one I did with the deficiencies and excess' in my diet. (Here) I got my grades and feedback from my prof. and his input was great and very similar to what I was thinking. That nutrition levels will even out some over the course of a few days to a week. I was relieved to hear that. He said that he was impressed with the amount of vitamin K and that the only concern with that amount 'really' was if it was in synthetic form. (yeah, I don't have to give up my favorite veggies yet!) The best part for me is that I do tend to go on 'kicks' where I really want a lot of one kind of veggie and then after a week or so I will move on to another. It's great to not be craving junk anymore, that is really rare.

As the school year (for the kids) is winding down, I will be working on inputting my foods in the computer program and really looking at the numbers to see for myself. I know it will level out but I am still curious to look at the numbers themselves.

Anyone else keeping track of what they are eating.. I know I sent the link for the computer analysis program to a few of you.....

Enjoy this beautiful weather!!

Lemonade Stand Award

My Friend Jenny Nominated me for this award... Wow! Thanks Jenny! I am honored

Jenny's has inspired me to come out of my sewing comfort zone and encouraged me to try some new things all around! Gardening, harder knitting projects you name it! Thanks Jenny for your friendship and support!

The Lemonade Stand Award is for being a blogger who shows great attitude and gratitude.

To pick up the Lemonade Stand Award:- Comment on this blog.- Cut and paste the award logo and use it in your own blog.-

Nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude.-

Link to your nominees within your blog post.-

Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award.-

Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation.

I would like to nominate the following bloggers for their great inspiration to me:

To my Mom - You have so much courage and are always an inspiration- you are doing great in the world of technology too!

My sister - For speaking out for mother's everywhere and for supporting me too!

To ChrissyD - for being a great support and your artwork is amazing and beautiful!

To Tammie- without your blog I wouldn't have much to eat, and I eat the most yummy bread thanks to you! Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes AND your knowledge of health! (plus I am really jealous of your pantry!

To Melissa - I so appreciate your courage and strength! You are an inspiration, I am so glad that I found your blog... Keep up the good work!!

To Cris - I so enjoy watching your relationship with your family. Your girls are blessed to have you. I so love your projects, and traditions. Thank you for sharing them!P> I love so many blogs.. they are all inspiring to me in many ways!

Blogger hugs! Carrie

Interesting and Surprising Project part 1

I just finished a project for school, actually a few, but this one in particular was quite an eye opener for me!

Here's the deal. I had to enter everything I ate for one day into the nutritional software I have, and analyze ALL of my vitamin and mineral intake for an entire day.

When I configured my charts (anyone that did the nutritional study may remember the detail) I was surprised and a bit astonished about the results! Many of you know that I eat A LOT of fruits and veggies tons in the matter of fact! I love them. I eat very little processed food and when I do I am very choosy about what will buy! No refined flour, sugar etc. Anyhow, some nutrients I was completely deficient in, meaning NONE, some were very low and some were SO high they were beyond the UL's (upper limit) set by the USDA.

It really got me thinking about some things, for one, with all the whole foods I eat how in the world do I really get all my nutrients if I have to eat even MORE than I do to get them. ?

Is one day really a good representation of how well rounded my diet is? I am going to experiment with this and will report again later.

If I eat 'healthy' are people that eat fast food, processed foods, and refined foods on a daily or weekly basis getting any nutrients? Do we really wonder why there is so much chronic disease in our country?

With all I am learning, I am so much more aware of the big picture. The facts are right there for me to see, and it is proof positive that no matter how 'healthy' we truly think we eat there is always room for improvement. Always!

With this said, I have some work to do, for one, I am going to enter my food in the nutritional analysis software for at least a week, then I am going to look at each day individually and as a whole to see the differences in the analysis each day and the whole week.

If anyone else is curious to look at your own dietary intake, let me know. I can send you links and information to play with me. It does take effort to enter all your foods... but I am game to not play alone!

This isn't really where I thought I was going with this, but hey, it is important to prevent illness and promote optimal health to really be aware of what we are eating. I do take some supplements multivitamins and B12 (since I am a vegetarian) and I am relieved that even though I eat healthy I continue to take them.

Stay tuned for more information and followup in the next few weeks.... My brain is thinking!