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Food Cancer Warning?!

    If you been in McDonalds lately and looked around patiently waiting to place your order, you may see a warning about food being served at McDonalds. Simply stating that there are chemicals that are known to cause cancer that may be present in the food and beverages served. My first reaction was to immediately start screaming to everyone that they're eating cancer and to stop eating. Instead I simply left. The warning is there in plain sight and people still choose to eat the food, and that is on them. But how can it be ok to continue selling food that can potentially cause cancer?
    My curiosity got the best of me, and I had to find out how serious this warning was, and if it just pertained to McDonalds and other fast food restaurants. A chemical mentioned in the warning is acrylamide, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. (By the way, you may find that in other states this warning may not be posted.) Acrylamide is a chemical that forms during high-temperature cooking like frying, roasting, and baking in some foods. The formation of acrylamide in foods is created from the sugars and an amino acid that are naturally in food, not from the packaging or the environment of the food. So what does that mean for me?
    During my search I stumbled onto the FDA website. There you can find information about acrylamide in food, how it is formed, and what else it is found in. It sound scary knowing that there are potentially cancer causing chemicals that can form in food while cooking it. That doesn't mean that you have to give up those foods all together. To lower the levels of acrylamide depends on the way you cook. The darker you brown the certain foods acrylamide is found in while cooking, the higher the level. The lighter the browning of foods like potatoes and breads, the lower levels of acrylamide that are formed during the high-temperature cooking process.
    What I found is, fast food isn't the the only place you will find acrylamide. It can form in the food you cook at home and you do have a little control over the levels of acrylamide formed. But as I see it, I've been eating breads and french fries since childhood. Fries were my favorite food and the cruncher the better. As an adult I love coffee and dread starting my day without it. So, you can find for yourself what you are comfortable with eating and what not. But I'm going to keep drinking my coffee and watch my cooking habits.
For more information visit:
Acrylamide Questions and Answers
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodContaminantsAdulteration/ChemicalContaminants/Acrylamide/ucm053569.htm
Additional Information on Acrylamide, Diet, and Food Storage and Preparation
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodContaminantsAdulteration/ChemicalContaminants/Acrylamide/ucm151000.htm

Savin'$$$

I can't help it, I find a great deal and have to spread the word! My friends make fun of me for it, but why pay full price when you can put those extra dollars that you save towards something else? As a stay at home mom, I take pride in finding extra ways to save money. I guess I get that from my mom, who was a single parent. She would find name brand shirts for a mere couple dollars. There was many times she would come home with 3 or 4 bags full of clothes, full outfits sometimes, and had only spent $50 or less! She knew when to wait and how to work the coupons and sales to her advantage. Something that I hope to pass on to everyone. It's always a good feeling when you save an extra dollar, and the bigger the savings the more exciting it is.

Exercise

For a few months now I've decided to make a change in my life to become more active. I looked around an noticed that even though I'm always on the go, I've neglected taking care of myself. I've always been thin and I thank whatever side of my family for the wonderful metabolism, but being active isn't my strongest point. Looking back on my childhood, I lived where I could climb trees, explore the trials in the woods looking for abandoned tree houses, and ride my bike from sun up to sunset. Now with all these adult responsibilities I'm finding that I have to schedule workout times, what use to be play time as a child. So even though I'm slender and look healthy, I know physically I'm not.

As I began my journey I've found a new "like" for running. I hated running, thinking I could keep up with my running loving friends and dying after their "warm-up", 3 miles later. But feeling that muscle burn that you can only get from running is rewarding. Only because I know that it means I'm building muscle and on my way to a pair of hot legs, lol. Now don't go thinking that I'm all in shape, I'm currently a work in progress. About 1/2 mile so far. My goal is to finish a 5k (3miles) within 30 minutes. May take some time but I'll get there dragging my girls with me. Love ya girls!

Recipes

As the chef of the family I enjoy finding that one recipe that makes people smile and begging for more. I get the most joy making baked goods and desserts. The smell of fresh bread, and hot out of the oven cookies brings back childhood memories. Now I'm not all about the sweets, even though they are so irresistible, I do my best to include a well-balanced diet to my loved ones. I believe that if you want to take a step in improving your health, start with what you eat. With that, I'm always on the hunt for new recipes to experiment with.

Protein Balls

4 Tbsp. peanut butter
4 Tbsp. agave nectar
1 cup protein powder
add-ins (optional)
shredded coconut
dried fruit

    * Mix all ingredients together. Shape into 1 inch balls.

~I usually use Muscle Milk banana flavored protein powder. I eat 1 before and after a hard workout.