Trade in Bad Food for Better Food

10 easy food switches for an extra 10 good years
courtesy of Oprah

Out: Milk chocolate

In: Dark chocolate
Why: Dark chocolate (look for at least 60 percent cocoa) is a concentrated source of antioxidants, which protect cells from age-related damage; milk chocolate contains significantly smaller amounts. And chocolate's fat doesn't raise cholesterol. Preliminary results from my lab show benefits to blood vessels two hours after eating dark chocolate or drinking it in cocoa. Nibble an ounce, sip a small cup—the calories still add up.
Out: White bread
In: Whole grain bread
Why: Whenever you replace white flour with whole grains—in bread, cereal, pasta—it's a strike against aging. Soluble fiber, found in oats and barley, has been linked to lower levels of insulin and bad cholesterol (think: diabetes and heart disease), and insoluble fiber in whole wheat reduces risk of gastrointestinal maladies like diverticulosis. Check out bread made with the new albino whole wheat—it tastes like the real white thing.
Out: 1/4 of the sugar in a baking recipe
In: The same amount of nonfat powdered milk
Why: Reducing sugar in cakes, cookies, and bread will start retraining your taste buds to prefer less sweetness in your entire diet—a good antiaging goal, because in addition to weight gain and diabetes, chronically high intake of sugar can lead to glycosylation. This is a process in which sugar molecules adhere to protein molecules, potentially damaging cells, increasing inflammation, and contributing to the blockage of arteries.
Out: Diet soda
In: Water
Why: There is no better beverage than water to help you stay hydrated, which is important in keeping body systems running well. Diet soda quenches thirst, but some experts still worry that its artificial sweeteners—officially considered safe—may be linked to cancer. My main concern with them is that they propagate a sweet tooth, which leads to more sugar intake and the overall deterioration of the diet.Out: 1/4 of your meat
In: Lentils
Why: Saturated fat (which meat tends to have a lot of) can gum up arteries and speed you toward heart disease. Too little fiber (meat has zero) can accelerate the aging of the gastrointestinal system. Beans and lentils are the opposite of meat: lots of fiber and no saturated fat—and they provide protein. How can you lose?
Out: Regular yogurt
In: Low-fat or fat-free yogurt
Why: Dairy foods are a great source of calcium and vitamin D, which help keep bones from thinning. But the saturated fat in whole milk, cheese, and yogurt contributes to artery clogging. Switching to low- or no-fat dairy gives you all the benefits without the risks.
Out: 1/4 of your meat
In: Fish
Why: Fish is an ideal lean protein source, low in saturated fat. Certain varieties such as salmon are also high in omega-3 fatty acids—vital for heart and possibly brain health. Unfortunately, some species also contain contaminants: If possible, eat wild versus farm-raised salmon and limit albacore (white) tuna to one meal a week. If you're pregnant or nursing, check out the guidelines at www.epa.gov/ost/fishadvice/advice.html.Out: Bag of potato chips
In: Slices of apple
Why: An apple has no fat, few calories, lots of soluble fiber, and antioxidants. What does a potato chip offer? Pretty nil on the valuable nutrients score, and it's a great source of oil, calories, and salt. A good rule of thumb is to go with foods that come packaged by Mother Nature, i.e., apple (skin) versus chips (plastic bag), banana (peel) versus candy bar (wrapper). Both you and the environment will be around longer to enjoy each other.

Ten Things I Love About Tad

I love my dear, sweet husband. He's constantly making me laugh with his silly faces. There's no one I know who gives more of himself to people. Even aside from him being a wonderful husband and father there are millions of reasons that I love him. Here are a few.
1-He'll watch any movie or show at least once before he decides to hate it. Especially when I'm sad. He's also discovered shows like Psych and Veronica Mars that way.2-He never complains when I (or anyone else) asks him for help. He's the go-to guy when you need help moving!3-He's a horrible exaggerator who loves to get maximum impact when he's telling you his stories.4-He loves cheesy made for TV Christmas movies (although he doesn't like people to know that, so SHHHHHH)5-He's not afraid to like what he likes even if it's not 'cool'. He doesn't care if it's super popular or totally obscure, if he likes it he doesn't care what anyone else thinks. 6-He has horrible tastes in desserts. There's nothing I hate more than lemon flavored treats, and there's nothing he loves more. The best part about this is that I never have to worry if he's going to eat my last piece of cake.7-He thinks I'm the funniest person he's ever met. And he'd be right. 8-He'll eat anything I put in front of him, regardless of how bad an experiment it is. He's eaten some pretty sad dinners in the last 6 years.9-He's a perfectionist who can't leave well enough alone. I'm talking about a boy that gets upset about getting a 94 on a test. While it's occasionally exhausting, it's mostly endearing. 10-He's completely predictable, yet somehow always shocked when I prove that to him. Which I frequently do.

So tell me, what makes you love your man?

TV's Best Bro's over Hoes

So I just finished re-reading Harry Potter and every time I think about the series I can't help myself from laughing at Harry and Ron. There's just something best friends that brings out the mischief in guys. I see the truth of that in my husband and HIS best friend Trey.

Let's take a look at some of my favorite pairs of BFF's. Starting with, of course,

Harry & Ron
Harry Potter
Tragic, determined and outspoken Harry is in perfect balance with Ron and his laid back, underachieving, yet loveable attitude. Ron always finds a way to lighten the mood in the often tense world of Harry's life.

Shawn & Gus
PSYCH
Shawn's 'never grow up' credo makes for great TV when combined with his wickedly awesome detective skills, and his impressive supply of media references. Gus, who's well versed in movie trivia as well, is Shawn's favorite partner in crime. He tries, and often fails, to keep Shawn from embarrassing both of them. Although he doesn't hesitate to act the fool if Shawn's in need, or a hot girl is on the line.

Dawson & Pacey
Dawson's Creek
When you combine Dawson, your typical golden boy, with Pacey, your basic boy from the wrong side of the tracks you get classic TV goodness. Before their relationship is forever injured by the tornado that is Joey Potter, Dawson and Pacey spend many nights getting each other into ridiculous problems.

Corey & Shawn
Boy Meets World
No BFF countdown would be complete without a mention of Corey & Shawn. While some might say they're a little TOO dependent on each other, I think it's a recipe for hilarity! They stand by each other through the worst and best of everything that comes their way. Usually resulting in some kind of hair brained scheme like disguising themselves in womens clothing or starting small businesses out of Mr. Feeny's home.

Joey & Chandler
Friends
What seems to me to be the end all and be all of Bro-Friendships is Joey & Chandler. Emotionally stunted Chandler strikes gold when Joey, the under-worked, but over loved actor moves into his life. Their friendship blossoms over a love of BayWatch and never stops growing!

Friendship means never having to give a reason.

Very Very Punny Jokes

I was in need of a laugh today :)

DON E FORSHEE

. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got
married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent

2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says,
'I'll serve you, but don't start anything.'

3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.

4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.

5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says:
'A beer please, and one for the road.'

6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other:
'Does this taste funny to you?'

7. 'Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home.''
'That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome.' 'Is it common?'
Well, 'It's Not Unusual.'

8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field.
Daisy says to Dolly, 'I was artificially inseminated this
morning.' 'I don't believe you,' says Dolly. 'It's true, no bull!'
exclaims Daisy.

9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids
were nothing to look at either.

10. DejaMoo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before

11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day
but I couldn't find any.

12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident.
He shouted, 'Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!'
The doctor replied, 'I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!'

13. I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.

14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.

15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to
the other and says 'Dam!'

16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit
a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that
you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and
were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories.
After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them
to disperse. 'But why,' they asked, as they moved off.
'Because', he said, 'I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer.'

18. A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One
of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named 'Ahmal.' The
other goes to a family in Spain ; they name him 'Juan.' Year's later; Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, 'They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal.'

19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him. (Oh, man, this is so bad, it's good)..... A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

20. And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.