Just for Fun! – Page 8 – in thriver words

Why Do They Call it Trail Mix Anyway?

Why do they call it Trail Mix anyway? Why not, Couch Mix, or Desk Mix, or Ziploc® Bag mix? Can’t think of the last time I ate some on a trail or even in a canoe. I did, however, eat some last night – on the couch, of course.

I know, I know, it’s called Trail Mix because it’s easy to carry, easy to store, and has a mix of protein, carbs, and healthy fat that can provide an energy boost when you’re hiking…on a trail. Seems like I remember whole books written about this back in the post-hippie era.

My point is that Trail Mix is so much more versatile than that. We could also call it Desk Mix, Car Mix, Airplane Mix, Yogurt Topping Mix, Quick Breakfast or Quick Dessert Mix. And no matter what we decide to call it, the nutritional content is your choice.

I usually have raw almonds, cashews, or pistachios in the house. I also keep golden raisins handy. Sometimes I throw in raw sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, salted almonds, popcorn, or shredded Parmesan cheese. My favorite combinations have salty, sweet and crunchy.

As a gluten-free person who has to eat at regular intervals, ????? Mix can be a life saver when I travel. Or, like last night, it can be a treat when I feel hungry after dinner. Or, like this morning, it can be a yummy breakfast while I look out the window at this:

Unless I’m going for a quick dessert, I usually leave out the candy. Of course, last night I threw in a few Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Chips I bought for holiday cookies. Don’t judge, it’s the holidays! Just call it Holiday Mix!

I’m thinking of premixing some ???? Mix as gifts. Maybe you can help me. What’s your favorite combination…AND what do you call it?

Is Gluten-Free Sexy?

Is gluten-free sexy? I like to think so. Now you can find out for yourself!

For those of you who are single, gluten-free, and looking for love, there’s a niche dating site that will let you explore the answer to this question. The site, GlutenFreeSingles.comTM, launched July 24, 2013.

So far, the membership seems to be skewed toward those under 40, but there is at least one member in her 70s and there seems to be a decent male to female ratio. Many of the early joiners appear to live on the West Coast of the US. A recent visit showed a membership of about 1400 – 1500, but I’m sure it’s growing every day so today these demographics may prove to be inaccurate.

Like the typical dating site, this one allows you to choose the type of relationship you want including “friends” which leads me to wonder why there’s not a whole different set of menus and searches within the site that would allow a woman to develop a community of single female gluten-free friends who are looking for love, but not looking to date other women. The search feature does allow you to view all members at the same time, both male and female, so I guess you can do the sorting on your own, I would just prefer a bit more robustness in the query options.

For those who are shy about disclosing dietary limitations or have encountered dates who are less than accommodating, this site will be sure to lessen some getting acquainted anxiety. It will also give you inherent common ground for conversation in the beginning. Of course, it won’t provide a guarantee that down the road you and a new match will automatically be on the same page regarding diet. Our individual personalities, sensibilities, and preferences remain alive and well even when we’ve given up gluten.

And that’s the exciting part. Even within a niche, the possibilities are endless. That feels good to me because I like lots of options. How about you? Do you like the idea of a gluten-free dating site? If so, let us know why.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Cherries pack a huge healthy punch in a tiny, delicious package!

Life may not be just a bowl of cherries, but don’t forget to put some on your plate!

I love it when the grocery store is filled with fresh cherries. My favorite ones are the Bing variety. I also like the variegated Rainier cherries, but given the choice, I always pick Bing. Luckily, I pick them often.

Sweet or tart, cherries are filled with good things like vitamin C and potassium. They also contain boron – a mineral that is used for building strong bones, treating osteoarthritis, as an aid for building muscles and increasing testosterone levels, and for improving thinking skills.

And the goodness doesn’t stop there. Those delicious little morsels contain melatonin – a free-radical scavenger and wide-spectrum antioxidant that is sometimes beneficial to those with autism. Some studies indicate that melatonin may act as an anti-aging agent (perhaps because of its phytoestrogen properties), it increases REM sleep time, and it may help some women stave off type 2 diabetes. Whew! That’s quite a healthy punch to pack in a such a tiny package.

But wait, there’s more…I know, I feel like one of those cheesy infomercials, but there really IS more. According to research from Michigan State University, tart red cherries have an anti-inflammatory benefit that can relieve pain more effectively than aspirin. Lead researcher Muraleedharan G. Nair, Ph.D., Professor at Michigan State University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, notes about this cherry effect, “It is as good as ibuprofen and some of the nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs.” This is great news for those of us who have pain, but cannot tolerate the effects of ibuprofen.

Another study from University of California at Davis found that regular consumption of cherries for 28 days produced a decrease in biochemical signs of inflammation in the blood including the marker that indicates increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

After years of feeling absolutely miserable due to inflammation, I always feel grateful to learn about simple dietary changes that can relieve discomfort and lessen my risk for heart disease and arthritis. Without even realizing it, I’ve been choosing an incredibly healthy food just because I love the way it tastes. That’s some serendipity I can get behind. How ’bout you?

References:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leo-galland-md/cherry-season-fight-pain-_b_844654.html

http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/kristin-kirkpatrick-ms-rd-ld/if-you-only-go-one-super-fruit-it

http://en.wikipedia.org

Take Candy from Strangers, then Why Not Juice?

Since we’ve broached the subject of taking food from strangers, I’d like to share another recent travel moment. Two weeks ago, I traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina where I took these photos of Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

My flights in both directions were rescheduled, rerouted, and delayed by several hours. As you may have guessed from reading our Travel Tips, for convenience I always carry gluten-free food with me when I fly.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve had to move my meals closer and closer together in order to keep my hypoglycemia in check. I can no longer wait until I feel hungry to eat, but have to consume at regular intervals in order to maintain my energy level and feel my best. This requires that in addition to carrying food, I must look at the schedule in advance so I’ll know if I need to eat a snack on the plane in order to keep my blood sugar level even.

On this trip, I followed my normal procedure and arrived at the airport feeling prepared. I sailed through security with my plastic containers of food and headed for the gate. As a flight delay led to late boarding, followed by sitting on the tarmac for an hour, followed by taxiing back for more fuel, I found myself captive on the plane without enough food to last until we reached the next destination.

As we began our descent, I was hoping to avoid the point at which my blood sugar drops so low that my hand starts to tingle, my lips get numb, and I feel overwhelmed and groggy. I started a mental inventory of my options. Was there time to investigate and consume the $11 snack boxes sold on the plane? Should I ask for a coke? I could already feel the anxious tension creeping from my shoulder blade to my neck. My mind was whirling.

About that time, a young man sitting across the aisle and one row in front of me opened the can of apple juice he’d been staring at for almost an hour. He filled his plastic glass then looked at me with a knowing look and asked if I wanted the rest. His offer was unexpected and the perfect solution at the perfect time. I accepted with a nod and a smile. He smiled back. I quietly offered a thank you.

That was the extent of our interaction. We had not been conversing and we didn’t begin to at that point. This man was simply attuned enough to recognize my need and I was willing to accept his gift. It was the kind of powerful everyday moment that can feed our hearts, mind, and spirits when we allow our minds to be open and our hearts willing to receive.

Taking the apple juice from a stranger allowed me to finish the flight with no ill effects. For that stranger, I am grateful. For that juice, I am grateful. For that moment, I am grateful.