Sweet Misery

[gettinserious]

Originally Posted by Zer

Look for cinnamon sticks in spice or baking aisle at any grocery store. Bite off a bit or fiddle with the whole cinnamon stick as if it was a cigarette. Have fun!

You can also find them sometimes at dollar stores. Dollar tree I know carries these for $1, so if you can find a similar store that carries them as cheap, its a lot nicer than $6 a jar.

[gallard]

Watch this documentary a couple of days ago, it was very eye opening.

[susume]

Thank`s zer, I saw the book "Look me in the Eye", sent for the books "All Cats have Aspergers" and Parenting your Asperger Child - this one is by Alan Shon". There are so many books and they have reviews of them by peeps that have read them. I`ll see how it goes and then maybe get the one you got. If I remember it had great reviews to.
Gald you could finally put a finger on what was wrong with you. Late, but never too late. Thank you very much, my friend has an appointment in Duluth but not till Dec, can you believe. The only Dr. that can make a diagnosis of if and what it is for sure in out state I guess.

[DiamondDeb]

Originally Posted by tita2005

Does anyone have information/links about the dangers of caffeine?

I was just talking to a friend and told her I gave up caffeine, and she said you might want to rethink that because caffeine is good for you.

So if anyone has great info, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Theresa

Theresa, I've never been an excessive coffee drinker but I gave it up completely for a year thinking it was good for my health. The only thing that I noticed was I missed my coffee. I researched and found a lot of info on the benefits of coffee. (search coffee & my name and you should bring up articles I posted in the past, too tired or I'd do it for you.)

I added coffee back in, still don't drink it in excess but I am happy to have it as a treat for my taste buds once again.

Moderation is a good thing!

[Melle]

So, DH was telling me about this article he found, on the dangers of plastic...a chemical called, "Bisphenal A", that is found in bottles with the recycle-numbers 3, 6, and 7.

In a few weeks, the final report of a government study on plastic bottles will be released. The concern is over a chemical -- Bisphenal A -- that many scientists are worried about.

"The effects are primarily reproductive and fertility effects in both male and female organisms," said Dan Tessier, toxicologist with the University Of Illinois, Chicago.

Animal tests have shown that Bisphenol A affects hormones, according to experts. But the chemical is not just in water bottles. It's found in baby bottles and children's sippy cups. Heating is thought to make the chemical leach out even more.

The FDA and the plastics industry, and some scientists say Bisphenol A leaching out at low levels, it's safe.

"The toxic effects on rats were done at levels that are thousands of times higher than we are exposed to in the environment," said Dr. Gilbert Ross, medical director of the American Council on Science and Health.

So how do you know what bottle the chemical is in? The key is to turn it over.

Inside the little triangle, you'll see a number, from one to seven. Bottled water is packaged in No. 1. Experts told the Today Show, the numbers 3, 6 and 7 pose the most danger, including cancer risks.

Still, a federal panel of experts has some concern that even low levels cause neural and behavioral effects in children and fetuses. All plastics can degrade, especially with harsh treatment, like dishwashing or microwaving-- so you may not want to reuse anything, to the point that it's getting shabby.

On the Today Show, Dr. Nancy Snyderman said, "The reality of is that nobody knows. There's been no long-term studies. After you repeatedly beat-up plastic and hurt the integrity of the outside, do chemicals leach out into your food and water. Common sense would say, probably yes."

A current study will take 20 years for conclusive results. In the meantime, Snyderman offered this advice when wondering about the safety of No.'s 3, 6 and 7 plastics.

"If I had to err on the side of caution, don't use those, use others," she said.

Copyright 2008 by NBCSandiego.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Margot 65]

Bisephenol is also found in the cans they use to package baby formula.

it is even in the cans they use for powdered formula, but it does not 'leech' as badly into the powdered form so it is recommended people use powdered as opposed to liquid.

The baby bottles are OK if they are NOT microwaved and NOT heated in a drying cycle in the dishwasher BUT they should be replaced every 6 weeks of so because they will break down under normal usage.

I use plastic bottles and would switch to glass if I COULD FIND SOME.. but I do not use a microwave (LOL it is in the garage and I have used it to heat up coffee but that is it LOL) and I also hand wash them.

Glass bottles would be nice because I could DISHWASHER them LOL

[cleochatra]

Check your Nalgene Bottles. These are 7.

[Zer]

Originally Posted by Prozak

I use plastic bottles and would switch to glass if I COULD FIND SOME.... Glass bottles would be nice because I could DISHWASHER them.

Google reports "309,000 for glass baby bottles. (0.09 seconds)" so you should be able to replace your plastic with non-toxic glass bottles if you do a little online browsing. Good for you, for being a careful caregiver!

[ItsNot2L8]

Originally Posted by Diorskin

PS: My first diet soda was TAB when I was 8 or 9 years old. Anyone remember that stuff?! lol. I used to sneak it from my mom. Gag.

Me too! Except I didn't have to sneak it. Diet Pepsi became my drink of choice, up to a six pack a day ( and sometimes more ) until late Sept last year.

Originally Posted by Off My Duff

I've never heard of aspartame being added to skim milk-or am I misreading what you are saying?

Why would they add aspartame to milk anyway?

I did a quick search and can't find where it's been added, but did find reference that milk (and most other foods with protein) naturally contains a form of phenylalanine. Phenylalanine

Originally Posted by Melle

I wondered about that. My free samples, are the only ones I've seen, but I haven't been looking for it, either. What section is it in...beverage section...produce section...baking aisle?

I find it in the baking section at my grocery store, it's close to the artificial sweeteners.

What I noticed about three weeks after quitting Nutrasweet: An issue I'd had for the last couple decades with bladder frequency and urgency is gone. Completely. I've gone from having to pre-emptively pee if I was going to be away from a bathroom for an hour or two and having to know exactly where the nearest toilet was because when I had to go, I had to go, to going maybe 4 times a day, and if I'm in the middle of something, I can comfortably wait. I still drink just as much liquid, but now it's mostly water and some coffee or tea.

[hummingbird11]

Man I had a great article re: the benefits of caffeine. Let me see if I can find it!

Originally Posted by tita2005

Does anyone have information/links about the dangers of caffeine?

I was just talking to a friend and told her I gave up caffeine, and she said you might want to rethink that because caffeine is good for you.

So if anyone has great info, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Theresa

[jacksmixedtape]

Originally Posted by Diana

Ok so what do you suggest for Gum?

SPRY! The cinnamon flavor is delish. It's sweetened with xylitol. Nothing artificial.

[jacksmixedtape]

Originally Posted by Diana

Ok so what do you suggest for Gum?

SPRY! I order it online in the big 180 piece plastic tub. They also sell it locally is health food stores. The cinnamon flavor is delish. It's sweetened with xylitol. Nothing artificial.

[Melle]

Originally Posted by ItsNot2L8

I find it in the baking section at my grocery store, it's close to the artificial sweeteners.

What I noticed about three weeks after quitting Nutrasweet: An issue I'd had for the last couple decades with bladder frequency and urgency is gone. Completely. I've gone from having to pre-emptively pee if I was going to be away from a bathroom for an hour or two and having to know exactly where the nearest toilet was because when I had to go, I had to go, to going maybe 4 times a day, and if I'm in the middle of something, I can comfortably wait. I still drink just as much liquid, but now it's mostly water and some coffee or tea.

About the True Lemon, I have quit drinking anything, but water, since trying that. I asked, at my local grocery store, and he had actually ordered some, just that morning. He said he will stock it in the "Organic Foods Section".

So, I went over to the produce section and found some organic lemons. I just picked up two of them, and sliced them into wedges, and put in a container in the fridge. Now, I just drink water, with a wedge of lemon in it. That's all...nothing else (well, except for my morning coffee).

As far as sweeteners, there are still some sweet things that I like. SO for now, I'm figuring saccharin is the lesser of the evils. I mean, really! Saccharin has been around, since before I was born...and that was a long time ago. I know none of it is good for you, but I'll use Sweet-n-Low and Sugar Twin, when I have to use something. I am going to start using Stevia, alot more, though. I want to get the Sweetleaf Stevia drops, in the regular and also in all of the flavors. It's one of those things, though...I'll have to buy one bottle a week. It's a little pricey. BUT...I did just get my stimulus check.

[DiamondDeb]

Here's support in favor of drinking coffee:

One cup of coffee a day may halt Alzheimer’s disease

Coffee: The New Health Food?

Enjoy! You thought coffee was bad for you?

Is Coffee Good For You?

Forbes has a list

Found one that is not in favor!

Health benefits of coffee hyped by research that ignores the rest of the story

I think that like many things it is good for us in moderation. Like most things, too much can be bad.

[Melle]

I have to post the results of my aspertame experience. I have been prone to panic attacks, occasionally, throughout my life. I have them off and on...never know what causes them.

Well, about a month ago, I started having severe panic attacks, several times a day, EVERY DAY. This lasted about a week, and I finally called and made an appointment, with a psychologist. I had to get some medication for them, even though I hate the thoughts of taking this type of medication. I could not live with these attacks...they are absolutely HORRIBLE.

Well, one week ago, I took aspertame completely out of my diet, and I have not had one panic attack, since then. And, I do have some stress in my life, right now...but, no panic attacks, at all. Then, I started thinking about all of this. I do not drink diet soda, and I do not use equal, at all. But, around the time these attacks started getting so frequent and severe, I started drinking Crystal Light...ALOT OF CRYSTAL LIGHT.

So, I am convinced that aspertame is the cause of my panic attacks. I now wonder if all the times in the past, if maybe I was consuming a particularly large amount of aspertame, at those times. I did drink diet soda, for many years...but, not in huge amounts. Maybe those times, I drank
a particularly large amount of them...who knows?

So anyway, it was almost like a "sign from God"...my appointment with the psychologist was this past Friday. An hour before the appointment, her office called and said she had to cancel her appointments that day, due to an emergency. So, they re-scheduled me, for a week from today. Now, I'm thinking that if I haven't had any attacks, by Friday, I will call and cancel my appointment.

[Zer]

Melle, I believe you've tracked down the culprit for your ailment. Good for you!

[Melle]

I went to the Health Food Store, today, and bought 3 bottles of Sweetleaf Liquid Stevia. I got one Plain Stevia, one Chocolate Stevia, and one English Toffee Stevia. The chocolate smells great...I've had it, before. But, the English Toffee was just like Heaven, when I opened that bottle to smell it.

They were almost $10 a bottle, but like I said before, a BIG cup of coffee takes about 2 or 3 drops...the bottles last forever. I can't wait to have my morning coffee, tomorrow, so I can try a few drops in my coffee. I'm sure I will love using it in my egg creams, and all kinds of cooking/baking.

Those were the only flavors they had. I think I'll start ordering one bottle a week, online, until I get all of the flavors.

[ummrashid]

Originally Posted by Melle

I went to the Health Food Store, today, and bought 3 bottles of Sweetleaf Liquid Stevia. I got one Plain Stevia, one Chocolate Stevia, and one English Toffee Stevia. The chocolate smells great...I've had it, before. But, the English Toffee was just like Heaven, when I opened that bottle to smell it.

They were almost $10 a bottle, but like I said before, a BIG cup of coffee takes about 2 or 3 drops...the bottles last forever. I can't wait to have my morning coffee, tomorrow, so I can try a few drops in my coffee. I'm sure I will love using it in my egg creams, and all kinds of cooking/baking.

Those were the only flavors they had. I think I'll start ordering one bottle a week, online, until I get all of the flavors.

Do they have any bitter after-taste? Im not a big fan of black licorice either.

[hummingbird11]

you might want to consider Splenda over Saccharin:

Food Additives ~ CSPI’s Food Safety

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/ma...fer-sugar.html

Originally Posted by Melle

About the True Lemon, I have quit drinking anything, but water, since trying that. I asked, at my local grocery store, and he had actually ordered some, just that morning. He said he will stock it in the "Organic Foods Section".

So, I went over to the produce section and found some organic lemons. I just picked up two of them, and sliced them into wedges, and put in a container in the fridge. Now, I just drink water, with a wedge of lemon in it. That's all...nothing else (well, except for my morning coffee).

As far as sweeteners, there are still some sweet things that I like. SO for now, I'm figuring saccharin is the lesser of the evils. I mean, really! Saccharin has been around, since before I was born...and that was a long time ago. I know none of it is good for you, but I'll use Sweet-n-Low and Sugar Twin, when I have to use something. I am going to start using Stevia, alot more, though. I want to get the Sweetleaf Stevia drops, in the regular and also in all of the flavors. It's one of those things, though...I'll have to buy one bottle a week. It's a little pricey. BUT...I did just get my stimulus check.

[Melle]

Originally Posted by ummrashid

Do they have any bitter after-taste? Im not a big fan of black licorice either.

No, they don't have a bitter aftertaste. There is a way to take that bitter taste, out of the stevia. The bigger companies, like Sweetleaf, take the bitter taste out. That's why they cost so much, probably. That's why I stick with Sweetleaf brand, because I've used the chocolate flavor before, and there is no bitter taste...just VERY sweet and very condensed flavor...just use a very few drops.

[hummingbird11]

Sweetleaf tastes bitter to me. I prefer NuNaturals.

Originally Posted by Melle

No, they don't have a bitter aftertaste. There is a way to take that bitter taste, out of the stevia. The bigger companies, like Sweetleaf, take the bitter taste out. That's why they cost so much, probably. That's why I stick with Sweetleaf brand, because I've used the chocolate flavor before, and there is no bitter taste...just VERY sweet and very condensed flavor...just use a very few drops.

[aunatural]

Originally Posted by tita2005

What kind of yoghurt can I give my kids?

They've been eating the Lite kind with Aspartame. Any substitutes?

Thanks,

Theresa

I eat plain full fat yogurt sweetened with fresh fruit and stevia drops to taste.