Category: Uncategorized

I have a dream. My dream is that just one room of my house does not have a toy car or truck in it, not even a tiny one “parked” under a dresser, as they are likely to be found. They are in the shower (a car wash, naturally). They are in the kitchen cabinets (delivery truck). They are in pockets, where they are often found as the washing machine starts making alarming banging noises. When we started with the “things that go” phase there wasn’t a lack of books… photographic, stories, interactive. The issue was there were too many and bringing them home became an exercise in trial and error.

Over my protests, one child only really liked—for a time—photographic books with labels (no story) so he could learn all the trucks’ names. (I know there is a difference between a digger and an excavator, but please don’t put me to the test about which is which—ask him). To save my sanity I tried to find as many fire truck books as I could to fan the flames (yes, pun intended) and make bedtime reading a little more enjoyable for me than labeling all the equipment on a fire truck (although it is good know that fire trucks come with axes—and here I thought they broke down doors with…. well, now that I think about it, I guess you would need something like an ax).

The road to truck books is paved with a vast array of choices. We read The Fisher-Price Little People’s Planes, Cars, Trucks, and Trains and Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go, which seemed like a very good place to start. We read the photographic My First Trucks. We even read the charming, old-fashioned Lois Lenski books like The Little Train. And we moved on to other books, like Red Truck and Sheep in a Jeep.

We read them all. He seemed to love them all. I can tell you that basically all vehicle books with a plot have either an A or a B story: either the truck gets stuck and they have to get it out, or the trucks are all building something together.

I get asked a lot—and I wonder a lot, as part of my job—why some books become a phenomenon and others don’t. What made one picture book vault over the others? I was interviewing someone once who said, “I want to find the next Harry Potter book.” I didn’t hire her. Not because she wanted to find another publishing sensation (sign me up for that, please!), but because when I asked her what about that she wanted to replicate she said, “The whole magical wizard world.” Books that get replicated sometimes work… there’s a certain loose plot line that works on many a bestseller. But books that are just replicated replacing A with B most often fall flat. Good writing and good storytelling should be a requirement for something that flies out the door, but what makes a great book is that it hits on something familiar yet brings a fresh take to it.

At first glance, Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site looked like a nice construction book. I flipped through it when I saw it in the bookstore and, sighing over yet another construction book, passed it over. When it hit the bestseller lists and stayed there, I wanted to take another look. This time I brought it home and the first night we read it through three times in a row. And then I got it; sure, it was another truck book. But this one has a different, fresh take. It’s a celebration of trucks doing their special jobs, then tucking in and resting as they go to sleep. Simple. And yet, wait a sec: A truck book that didn’t end with a siren? A truck book that didn’t wind up my sleepy (ish) child? A truck book that celebrated that it was fine to dig and roll but even trucks needed to rest? A truck book that actually had a plot? Oh, this worked. This worked on so many levels, from the absolutely delightfully lovely illustrations (yes, trucks sleep with teddy bears!) to the lullaby-like verse that helps lull a truck fanatic to “Relax your wheels your stacks and backs.” It’s not trucks lite. It gets the detailed function and the movement of all the pieces of equipment, enough so that it will absolutely work on even an advanced truck enthusiast (the one who refuses to read the “baby books” about trucks, even though the baby will like reading it, too).

I met the illustrator Tom Lichtenheld once at a conference, briefly. I am always mindful in these moments to not say something idiotic like, “Hey, we get into bed with you every night.” In the end I simply introduced myself. When I went home and told my kids, my son wanted to know why I didn’t invite him over for a playdate.

The author, Sherri Duskey Rinker, according to her bio, has children and her stories were written for them. I’m going to go out on a limb that one night after reading about another stuck truck she got fed up, took pen to paper, and wrote this book. And millions of parents with trucks parked in every crevice of their homes rejoiced.

And now, our favorite toddler truck/train/vehicle books:

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Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

by Sherri Duskey Rinker

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As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they’ll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play! With irresistible artwork by best-selling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld and sweet, rhyming text, this book will have truck lovers of all ages begging for more.

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My Car

by Byron Barton

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With prose as clean as Sam’s the narrator’s shiny engine, Byron Barton, the celebrated creator of numerous picture books for very young children, including Trucks, My Bus, and Building a House, explores transportation, the parts of a car, signs and signals, night and day, community, and occupations.

Bright, graphic artwork invites readers to count, name colors and shapes, and follow Sam and his car as they drive through a bustling world from Sam’s home in the country to his job in the city. The surprise ending is a gem!

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School Bus

by Donald Crews

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What is large (or small), bright yellow, and filled with students? School Bus! Climb aboard and let Donald Crews take you to school — and home again.

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Trashy Town

by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha

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I dump it in, I smash it down, I drive around the trashy town.
Meet Mr. Gilly. He cleans up Trashy Town. He does it with a big smile and a big truck–which is sure to make him a hero with all the children in the neighborhood. David Clemesha and Andrea Zimmerman have created a rhythmic, repeatable refrain that will roll off the lips of every child. Dan Yaccarino’s dynamic art puts the zip in Mr. Gilly’s stride and adds style and charm to trash collection.

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Cars, Trucks, and Things That Go

by Richard Scarry

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The station wagon, the tow truck, the garbage truck and the bulldozer. Every manner of machinery that moves is riotously depicted in this classic favorite. As the pig family head to the beach for a picnic, they encounter every vehicle known, from the forklift to the locomotive, and many vehicles that are not as common, from the pumpkin car to the broom-o-cycle. Each detailed spread provides tremendous opportunity to make up stories and describe situations. Will Officer Flossy catch Dingo? Will Rollo Rabbit catch his runaway steamroller? And with literally hundreds of things to look at, youngsters will spend hours trying to find Goldbug on every page.

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The Little Train

by Lois Lenski

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Mr. Small does it all!

In this adventure, Engineer Small drives his little train from Tinytown to the city-and back. Along the way, the little train passes tunnels and stops at stations to pick up cargo and passengers.

Presented in full color for the first time, Lois Lenski’s The Little Train will delight a whole new generation of readers as they learn all about the ins and outs of a working train.

The post Books That Go Zoom, Beep, and Woo Woo Woo appeared first on Tips on Life and Love.

Host: Kathy King

Traditionally, marathon runners eat a high carbohydrate meal before a race to maximize the storage of glycogen in their muscles. But is this the best method to ensure race endurance? Host Kathy King chats with sport nutritionist Nancy Clark about the best nutrition and diet strategies for training and running a marathon.

My favorite post-workout dinner, these really take just ten minutes to throw together and they’re so satisfying! From Deliciously Ella Every Day.

If you have lots of hungry friends coming over, then these are a lovely, easy meal that will keep everyone happy. I love serving them on a bed of sauted spinach, or with salad, with a big bowl of Sweet Potato Wedges on the side.

Makes 8

Two 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
generous 1 cup chickpea flour
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Apple Puree
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons tamari
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
juice of 1/2 lime
salt and pepper
coconut oil, to shallow-fry

Put the beans in a large mixing bowl. Mash them with a fork until they’re pretty mushy, but not totally smooth; there should still be some whole beans in the mixture.

Stir in all the remaining ingredients, except the coconut oil.

Heat a saucepan with a little coconut oil, then place 1 heaping tablespoon of the mixture into the center of the pan. Shape it into a round and then spread it out a little so it’s about 3/4 inch thick. Repeat to form 4 burgers in the pan. Let the burgers cook for about 1 minute on each side, flipping them so that they cook evenly.

Then do the same thing with the remaining burger mixture, keeping the cooked burgers warm while you cook the rest.

Kitchen Know-How
I know the apple puree might sound like a weird ingredient, but please don’t leave it out; it really helps the burgers stick together and it adds a delicious flavor!

The post Deliciously Ella Every Day Recipe: Black Bean Burgers appeared first on Tips on Life and Love.

You can haz this cheeseburger anytime. From The Nerdy Nummies Cookbook.

A good joke can spread throughout the Internet between the time you go to bed and the time you wake up, leading to an inbox filled with funny pictures. These viral images are often referred to as “memes” and have been a mainstay of the Internet for many years. Some of the earliest memes were jokes about cheeseburgers and have been transformed into these tasty cupcakes. You can haz as many as you’d like.

THE THINGS YOU’LL NEED
Brownie batter (recipe below)
Butter Cake batter (recipe below)
1 tub (16 ounces) buttercream frosting
Food coloring gels: yellow and red
Sweetened flaked coconut
Green liquid food coloring
White sprinkles
9 x 13-inch metal baking pan
Muffin tin(s)
Cupcake liners
2 1/3-inch round cookie cutter
2 decorating bags
#48 decorating tip
#10 decorating tip
Baking tweezers (optional)

LET’S GET STARTED!
1. Bake the Brownie batter in a 9 x 13-inch metal baking pan as directed. Let cool completely in the pan.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 24 cups of 2 muffin tins with paper liners. (Or use 1 muffin tin and bake in two batches.)

3. Prepare the Butter Cake batter and divide it among the muffin cups, filling each one two-thirds full.

4. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes.

5. Let the cupcakes cool completely before decorating.

6. Use the round cookie cutter to cut out “hamburger patties” from the brownies.

7. Halve the cupcakes horizontally with a straight edge (not serrated) knife.

8. Place the brownie burgers on the bottom halves of the cupcakes.

TIME TO DECORATE!
1. Mix half of the buttercream frosting with yellow food coloring until it is the color of cheese. Scoop the frosting into a decorating bag fitted with a #48 tip and pipe it to look like cheese slices on your patties.

2. Tint the other half of the buttercream frosting with red food coloring until you reach the desired shade of bright red. Scoop the frosting into a decorating bag fitted with a #10 tip and pipe it to look like a tomato on top of the cheese.

3. Mix the flaked coconut with liquid green food coloring until it is light green, resembling lettuce. Sprinkle the coconut flakes on top of the red frosting.

4. Place the top half of each cupcake on top.

5. Scatter white sprinkles on top of the cupcakes to look like sesame seeds. I use baking tweezers for more control.

Brownie Batter
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

2. Add the oil, milk, vanilla, and egg. Whisk until well combined.

Butter Cake Batter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons almond meal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (8 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups superfine sugar (aka baker’s sugar)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, almond meal, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

2. In a second large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter until softened. Add the superfine sugar and beat until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

3. Beat in the vanilla.

4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

5. On low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap the bottom of the pan on the work surface to get rid of any air bubbles.

The post The Nerdy Nummies Cookbook Recipe: Cheeseburger Cupcakes appeared first on Tips on Life and Love.

What is it? 

Calorad is a weight loss drink made as a way to improve lean muscle growth for increased weight reduction. It’s claimed to promote this effect by providing collagen, the protein structure found in tissue.

The supposed benefits to taking this are improved sleep, more energy, overall toning of the body, and a sense of wellness. They claim over 30 years of experience has made this a potent drink that millions have tried. They also suggest there’s an 86% success rate in the first three months of use. So are there any benefits to this? What kinds of effects are possible? This Calorad review will give you the information needed to decide if it’s worth it.

Do You Know the Best Diet Shakes of 2016?

Calorad Ingredients and Side Effects 

Collagen Hydrolysate
Aloe Vera
Water
Glycerin

Sodium Benzoate
Potassium Sorbate
Natural Lemonade and Orange Flavor
Citric Acid

Collagen Hydrolysate: Processed form of collagen which provides structure to connective tissue.

Not much information exists about this ingredient from websites which don’t already try and sell this.  Though collagen is considered safe, it’s not a well-rounded amino acid protein.

According to the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score or PDCAAS which shows how potent a protein source is. Collagen has a rating of 0.8. This means it’s a poor amino acid source, and that further supplementation with other proteins is needed to make up for the lacking amino acids.

If one does not substitute other forms of protein, it can potentially cause malfunction in the body. This is because amino acids are fundamental for regulating many important functions. 

Aloe Vera: Antioxidant rich plant which improves digestion and relieves constipation. It has been shown to be safe to use.

This is cheap in price, though it has been shown to be a healthy ingredient. 

Sodium Benzoate: Preservative most commonly found in liquids. When this ingredient is mixed alongside sorbic acid, it’s known to form benzene. Taking benzene can have a toxic effect on the body.

Citric acid is a form of vitamin C, and since vitamin C can interact with sodium benzoate to create benzene, it’s possible for benzene to be made when drinking Calorad.

The Cancer.org group has mentioned that benzene can cause serious health problems. The group adds:

“leukemia… have been found to be higher in studies of workers exposed to high levels of benzene” 

Other possible effects are possible: 

“as well as acute lymphocytic leukemia… and other blood –related cancers” 

The negative health effects can also be found when drinking this ingredient. 

“when inhaled or swallowed… has been found to cause different types of tumors” 

Therefore the intake of this drink should be of concern. The possibility for a benzene contamination is incredibly dangerous. It’s unknown how much is produced when one drinks Calorad. 

Potassium Sorbate: A potassium salt used as a preservative. According to the EWG which helps track ingredients safety, potassium sorbate can lead to problems:

“Human skin toxicant or allergen- strong evidence” 

Live Strong.com also mentions other risks:

“potentially causing harm to DNA, potassium sorbate may cause an allergic reaction” 

One study by the Toxicology in Vitro journal found that this ingredient caused damage to human blood cells. 

Citric Acid: Organic acid found in citrus foods, it’s used to preserve and to add a sour taste to foods.

Though this is generally recognized as being safe, when mixed with sodium benzoate, there’ a possibility of it creating a dangerous form of benzene. 

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven meal replacement such as 18Shake for better results.

Calorad Quality Of Ingredients 

There are 2 major concerns when using this drink. Not only is collagen protein a weak and incomplete protein, but it requires extra protein due to it causing deficiencies in the body by itself.

Also, the combination of citric acid and sodium benzoate has been shown to potentially create benzene. This ingredient is cancer causing, and studies have shown it to create tumors.

Also, there’s 3 forms of preservatives added to this liquid.  There’s also water added, and glycerin to add a sugary taste. Only 2 of the 8 ingredients are added to help have a positive health benefit. The majority of this is just to preserve and to add substance and flavor. So the majority of the cost is on ingredients which have no nutritional benefit.

Aloe vera can be used for much cheaper from other sources. Also, the added collagen is a limited ingredient that has not shown any great health benefits. The lack of usefulness for many of these ingredients makes this a poor diet tool.

The Price and Quality of Calorad 

One bottle costs $55 with a $9.50 shipping charge.  Since there’s a total of 30 servings and it’s advised to drink this twice a day, one bottle lasting 15 days sells for a total of $64.50. 

This is exceptionally high when you consider only 2 of the ingredients are intended to have any health benefits. The rest is ingredients added from flavoring, to preserve, and to provide more of a liquid consistency.

Collagen is a poor protein source since it’s limited in its amino acids. You’d have to make sure to get other forms of protein to make up for the lack of amino acids found in collagen. There’s also no information on whether or not this ingredient is effective for weight loss.

Aloe vera is beneficial, but it’s much less expensive to get it in other forms. There’s no reason to have to pay extra to get it inside Calorad.

Overall, the quality is several lacking in this drink. They also fail to provide their own amino acid score, likely because this brand has an ineffective protein in collagen. The company does advise not to rely on this drink, and it’s not considered a meal replacement. 

Business of Calorad 

Information on the company is limited to a few details, though they do offer their contact information: 

Phone Number: (800) 790- 9160 

Address: 3439 NE Sandy Blvd STE 688

Portland, Oregon 97232

Email: info@caloradstore.com

The company once made claims of this formula being able to cure certain diseases. They still make bold claims, though the clinical studies they offer are not from peer reviewed or respected studies.

The weight loss claims were also said to be supported by a clinical study, but this was never published.  Without looking at the data, it’s impossible to determine for oneself whether it was a legitimate clinical study.

No information on whether or not their return policy is valid is featured on any customer review sites. Very little information exists on this company beyond their Wikipedia page. This is concerning when you consider they make many claims, and that the company has been around for over 15 years.

EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results with meal replacement shakes diet our experts recommend to use it at least 5 months. Save your money buying a few bags of meal replacement product.

Customer Opinions of Calorad 

Not many reviews are available online. Here’s what a few select customers have experienced with Calorad:

“I had no weight loss” 

“Waste of money. Does not work” 

“I was GAINING weight!” 

“it didn’t’ work” 

A lack of weight loss benefits was the most common complaint. Some mentioned they did feel their skin and hair improved, but no other benefits were cited. This is common in collagen, as it’s what provides structure to the skin, hair, and nails.

Some didn’t like the taste, and these people said it was much too sweet tasting.

Since the company claims that over a million have already used this drink, it would make sense for there to be more reviews. There’s hardly any information available, and only a few reviews have been listed online.  This means that either the company isn’t telling the truth, or that users of Calorad have not been impressed enough to want to leave a review.

Conclusion – Does Calorad Work?

Before making a final decision on Calorad it’s important to look past all the health claims made which have not been proven. This drink does have an interesting claim of having helped millions, but they fail to provide any testimonials to prove this. Their clinical studies on weight loss are also not published, so it’s unknown if they’re telling the truth.

Customers are limited, and the few who have left their opinions mentioned they failed to lose any weight. This is likely due to the low amino acid score of collagen. Also, only 2 of the ingredients are intended to have a positive effect on health. Though they’re both limited since aloe vera is only meant for digestion, and collagen is not a weight loss ingredient.

A much better solution is found in 2016’s best meal replacement 18Shake. This shake has only high quality protein that can help with lean muscle growth as well as appetite suppression. You can also view their amino acid score, which is high enough to satisfy as a full meal replacement. Many have also lost significant amounts of weight by using this formula. You can read real testimonials to show why this shake has impressed so many customers.

18Shake is even supported by a great 30 day money back return policy, its reasons like this that customers continue to use this shake for their weight loss goals.

In this short video, fasting coach Robert D Johnston answers the most common question he received: How much weight will I lose with fasting, and in how long?

What is it? 

Spiru-Tein is a meal replacement made with non-GMO plant based protein. It claims to offer appetite satisfaction, as well as healthy ingredients for weight loss support.

It also mentions that when using his brand, it can help you feel your best even when you’re dieting. There’s a total of 14 grams of protein offered per serving, and 25 different flavors are available. These shakes are all vegan friendly, and you can read the full amino acid profile that’s offered per serving. So is this shake truly a nutritious and filling meal? What kinds of results are possible according to customers? In this Spiru-Tein review you’ll learn everything that’s needed to form your own opinion.

Do You Know the Best Diet Shakes of 2016?

Spiru-Tein Ingredients and Side Effects 

Here are the ingredients to their original vanilla flavor: 

Rice Protein
Pea Protein
Isolated Soy Protein and Fermented Soy
Fructose
Maltodextrin

Tri-calcium Phosphate
Natural Vanilla Flavor
Potassium Citrate
Magnesium Oxide
Guar Gum

Psyllium
Oat Bran
Microcrystalline Cellulose
Spirulina
Vitamin C

D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate
Choline Birtrate
Inositol
Apple Pectin
Bee Pollen

Niacinamide
Vitamin A Palminate
Zinc Oxide
Manganese Sulfate
Ferrous Fumurate

Calcium Pantothenate
Lecithin
Lemon Bioflavonoids
Papaya
Bromelain

Chlorophyll
Pyridoxine HCI
Riboflavin
Thiamine HCI
Vitamin B12

Vitamin D
Folic Acid
Biotin
Potassium Iodide
Chromium Chloride

Sodium Selenite
Sodium Molybdate

Rice Protein: Easy to digest form of extracted rice protein. It has low amounts of the essential amino acid lysine, which means you have to eat other protein sources to make up for the deficiency.

When replacing meals it’s important to make sure to get a full well rounded amino acid profile. This is in order to prevent any health problems that can happen from missing important amino acids.

Due to its rapid absorption, high amounts can lead to digestive problems such as flatulence, stomach discomfort, and diarrhea. 

Pea Protein: Legume protein made from peas, which is low in the amino acid Cysteine.

This form of protein is known to have higher than average amounts of purines. This can potentially lead to issues such as gout. 

Isolated Soy Protein and Fermented Soy: Fermented soy is specially treated to be easier to digest, and it’s not heavy on estrogen compounds.

Isolated soy protein is a 90% protein by weight soybean extract. Though the soy in this formula is non-GMO; soy is still considered an inferior protein due to its potential side effects.

Loma Linda University ran a study on soy protein showing that it had some problems:

“soy foods may increase the risk of developing clinical hypothyroidism”

 Another study published in Pud Med adds:

“soy isolates may contain trypsin inhibitor activity as high has 40% of that found in raw soybeans” 

Trypsin inhibitors can limit the absorption of protein. So this can reduce the overall potency of the protein added to this meal replacement.

It’s unknown how much this can reduce protein absorption, but this can limit the overall protein potency of this shake. 

Fructose: Fruit sugar that is considered one of the worst sweeteners available. A study featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that fructose:

“reduced 24-h plasma insulin and leptin concentration and increased postprandial fasting triaclyglycerols… but it did not suppress circulating ghrelin, a major-appetite stimulating hormone” 

So it actually raised hunger levels without satisfying appetite. This means you can eat large amounts of this ingredient and not feel full.

This can potentially make weight gain easier. Fructose is also considered the worst sweetener due to its ability to potentially cause addiction, and tooth decay in large amounts. 

Guar Gum: Fiber and thickener taken from the guar plant. It’s used as a laxative and as an appetite suppressant.  It’s important to take this ingredient with enough water to prevent blockages in the esophagus and intestines.

Possible side effects from this ingredient include:

Upset stomach, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Nausea, vomiting, and ill feelings.
Flatulence. 

It’s often advised to take it with at last 8 ounces of liquids to avoid any possible issues.

Psyllium: Used as a laxative, this ingredient is advised to be taken with plenty of fluids in order to prevent choking and side effects that can include:

Difficulty breathing.
Blockages in the esophagus and intestines.
Nausea, vomiting, and ill feelings.
Stomach pain and flatulence. 

This ingredient is also often provided as a way to naturally cause laxative like effects. So in some people, this may cause frequent bathroom usage and stomach problems. 

Spirulina: A blue-green algae that is rich in vitamins and minerals.  This ingredient is often advised to be taken with caution, because depending on where it’s sourced from; it’s possible for it to be contaminated.

This is because waters where this ingredient is sourced from can be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead. These toxins can potentially cause organ damage.

Web MD adds:

“Contaminated blue-green algae can cause liver damage, stomach pain, nausea, omitting, weakness, thirst, rapid heartbeat, shock, and even death” 

They advise to check and see if this ingredient is free of mycrocystins and other potential contaminants. 

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven meal replacement such as 18Shake for better results.

Spiru-Tein Quality Of Ingredients 

The first thing to notice about this meal replacement is the protein. These forms of vegan protein aren’t well rounded enough on their own, and that’s why they’re mixed together. Though soy has been shown to have many potential problems.

The added sugar in this comes from fructose, which studies show can make weight loss not only harder, but they’re shown to actually increase hunger with no appetite suppressing properties.

There’s a total of 8 grams of sugar per serving, which is higher than what a healthy meal replacement should have.

The good aspects of this shake are the low calories at 99 per serving. However overall, this shake fails to provide an adequate source of well-rounded nutrition.

The Price and Quality of Spiru-Tein 

A 32 serving container sells on Amazon.com for $37.25. Though this seems cheap, the overall quality of ingredients makes this still not a very good option for meal replacements.

This shake has too much sugar, cheap protein, potentially unsafe ingredients, and not enough fiber at just one gram.

The protein is high and the calories are low, but overall the Spiru-Tein fails to provide enough nutrition and quality protein. Also, as you’ll see in the “Customer Opinions of Spiru-Tein” section, this brand is not well reviewed in terms of taste and overall satisfaction. 

Business of Spiru-Tein 

Natural Organics Inc. owns this brand and they can be found below: 

Phone Number: (631) 957-5600 

Address: 9500 New Horizons Blvd

Amityville, New York 11701

In 2009 the company had a nation wide recall due to salmonella contaminations. It’s unknown how this was leaked; also no information is available as to what steps were taken to ensure that this wouldn’t happen again.

A study by Lab Door, which tests overall safety, ingredient, strength, and overall accuracy, has rated this meal replacement. It had a low rating as far as label accuracy, meaning they say that the company exaggerates its benefits.

EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results with meal replacement shakes diet our experts recommend to use it at least 5 months. Save your money buying a few bags of meal replacement product.

Customer Opinions of Spiru-Tein 

There are reviews online from different customers. Here’s what a few have had to say:

“has a bad aftertaste” 

“disgustingly sweet and had a weird aftertaste” 

“I was quite disappointed in the taste of this” 

“Horrible taste I couldn’t even finish drinking it” 

Taste was a major problem for users. Many felt it was much too sweet and artificial tasting. There are hundreds of negative reviews from people who couldn’t drink this shake. Some said they couldn’t even get past just one shake. This also came from people who say they are not picky eaters.

There was also concern over the kinds of ingredients used. Several users were disappointed to discover this had added fructose.

Customers also were concerned with the lack of appetite suppression.

Conclusion – Does Spiru-Tein Work?

When deciding on meal replacements it’s important to look at all the available information. Before making a decision on Spiru-Tein, it’s important to see how customers review this brand and the overall nutrients. This brand has a high amount of sugar, which customer’s say makes it taste too sweet and artificial tasting. It’s also not been described as being filling, which is likely due to the lowly 1 gram of fiber.

Better options are available which are made only with a high quality blend of whey protein. This is not only good for appetite suppression, but it contains a high amount of healthy amino acids. The very best meal replacement with all the mentioned qualities is 18Shake.

Customers have left testimonials showing great weight loss results, and they also say it tastes great and that it blends well. This shake has just one gram of sugar, 15 grams of protein, and 5 grams of healthy fiber per serving. This makes it a great option for weight loss since it can help suppress appetite, all while building lean muscle mass.

The makers of 18Shake are so confident in its abilities, that they even back it up wit ha solid 30-day money back guarantee.  All these reasons are why this shake is ranked as 2016’s best meal replacement.

Planking fish for the grill is intimidating to many. It shouldn’t be. Here’s how to maximize your cedar-planked flavor, from The Total Grilling Manual: 264 Essentials for Cooking with Fire.

Beer as needed for soaking (optional)
1 large or 4 small untreated cedar planks
Olive oil for brushing
Sea salt
½ cup (4 oz/125 g) unsalted butter
¼ cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
2 lb (1 kg) skin-on center-cut salmon fillet (either 1 large fillet or 4 small fillets), about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick, pin bones removed
½ cup (4 oz/125 g) honey mustard
¼ cup (1/3 oz/10 g) chopped fresh dill

Serves 4

SOAK Soak cedar plank in water or beer to cover for at least 1 hour. (No matter what size you use, make sure your planks are big enough to hold your fillets.)

PREHEAT Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for direct grilling over high heat. Brush and oil grill grate. Remove plank from water. Brush one side with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place on grill directly over the fire, cover, and heat until it begins to crackle and smoke, about 5 minutes.

PREP In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in lemon juice, parsley, and soy sauce. Remove from the heat and keep warm.

GRILL Uncover grill and place salmon fillet on plank. Brush salmon generously with butter mixture. Cover again and cook, without turning fillet, until fish flakes when prodded gently with a fork, 10–12 minutes. Fillet should be cooked to medium. Check plank frequently to make sure it doesn’t catch on fire, and have a spray bottle filled with water handy to extinguish any flames (but be careful—steam created from water can cause burns).

SERVE Using heavy-duty potholders, transfer plank to a heatproof work surface. Transfer salmon fillet to a warmed platter with a spatula. In a small bowl, stir together mustard and dill. Serve salmon with mustard sauce on side.

Photo by Ray Kachatorian. Copyright 2016 by Weldon Owen, Inc.

The post The Total Grilling Manual Recipe: Plank-Grilled Salmon with Mustard-Dill Sauce appeared first on Tips on Life and Love.

This pulled pork with homemade barbecue and dipping sauce will impress your guests. From Williams-Sonoma Grill Master.

Serves 10-12

1 bone-in pork shoulder, 4-5 lb
3⁄4 cup apple cider
1⁄2 cup sugar
1⁄4 cup kosher salt, plus salt as needed
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon hot-pepper sauce
Freshly ground pepper
5 lb applewood or hickory chips, or a mixture, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Classic BBQ Sauce for serving (recipe below)
Lexington-Style Dip for serving (recipe below)
10–12 soft hamburger buns

1. At least 1 hour before you plan to begin cooking, remove the pork from the refrigerator. In a jar, combine the apple cider, sugar, salt, Worcestershire sauce, hot-pepper sauce, and 1⁄2 cup warm water. Cover and shake the jar vigorously until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Load a marinade injector with the apple cider mixture, and inject the mixture into the pork in several places. Season the pork on all sides with salt and pepper.

2. Prepare a smoker or a charcoal or gas grill for smoking over low heat; the temperature of the grill should be 200º-250ºF. If using charcoal, bank the lit coals on either side of the grill bed, leaving a strip in the center without heat. Place a drip pan in the center strip and fill the pan with water. Add a handful of the wood chips to the fire just before grilling. If using gas, fill the smoker box with wood chips, then preheat the grill. Turn off 1 or more of the burners to create a cooler zone. Brush and oil the grill grate.

3. Place the pork on the grill over the indirect-heat area, cover, and smoke for a total of about 4 hours, adding additional wood chips every 30 minutes or so and more coals as needed if using charcoal.

4. After 4 hours, remove the pork and double wrap it in aluminum foil. You can put it back on the grill and cook it slowly for another 6 hours (I don’t recommend this if you’re using charcoal), or you can place it in a roasting pan in a 250ºF oven for an additional 6 hours. The pork is ready when you can easily slide out the bone with a pair of tongs.

5. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let cool for about 30 minutes. Remove any fat cap. Using 2 forks, pull and shred all the meat. Sprinkle a little salt over the pork and add about 1⁄2 cup BBQ sauce and toss to blend. Pile the meat on a platter and put out the buns, remaining BBQ sauce, and the Lexington-style dip. Then dig in.

Classic BBQ Sauce

Makes about 2 cups

1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons firmly packed dark brown sugar
1⁄2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, finely chopped (optional)
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the ketchup, mustard, vinegar, sugar, broth, a pinch of salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. For a Southwest-style sauce, stir in the chiles and cumin. Simmer for 5 minutes for a relatively thin sauce or for 10–15 minutes for a thick sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt. Use right away, or let cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Lexington Style Dip

Makes about 1 quart

1 quart cider vinegar
11⁄2 cups ketchup
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

The post Williams-Sonoma Grill Master Recipe: Carolina-Style Pulled Pork appeared first on Tips on Life and Love.

What is it? 

Myoplex shake is a meal replacement made to help people stay lean and strong. There’s a total of 24 vitamins and minerals, as well as 42 grams of protein.

There’s both ready to drink and powdered versions of this meal replacement. Their original formula is intended to be taken alongside a diet and meal plan. It claims to be effective for muscle building, and as a general meal replacement. So is this meal replacement truly a well-rounded shake? What have other customers experienced? This Myoplex review has all the information needed to make an informed decision.

Do You Know the Best Diet Shakes of 2016?

Myoplex Ingredients and Side Effects 

Whey Protein Concentrate
Soy Lecithin
Calcium Caseinate
Corn Maltodextrin
Milk protein Isolate

Sunflower Oil
Sodium Caseinate
Mono and Diglycerides
Potassium Phosphate
Soy Lecithin

Tocopherols
Oat Fiber
Natural and Artificial Flavor
Calcium Phosphate
Magnesium Oxide

dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate
Ascorbic Acid
Niacinamide
Ferrous Fumurate
Zinc oxide

Calcium Pantothenate
Manganese Gluconate
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
Copper Sulfate
Boron Proteinate

Riboflavin
Thiamine Hydrochloride
Vitamin A Palminate
Folic Acid
Biotin

Chromium Citrate
Potassium Iodide
Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate
Selenium Amino Acid Chelate
Cyanocobalamin

Potassium Phosphate
Medium Chain Triglycerides
Potassium Chloride
Salt
Xanthan Gum

Carrageenan
Acesulfame Potassium
Whey protein isolate
Potassium Citrate
Sucralose

L-Glutamine
Taurine
Egg Albumin
Sodium Phosphate
Beta-Carotene

Corn Maltodextrin: This is a highly processed thickener and sweetener made from corn. It’s a rapidly absorbed, blood sugar raising ingredient that ranks high on the glycemic index.

Live Strong.com mentions many of its flaws: 

“sugary maltodextrin promoted the growth of unhealthy bacteria, which damaged the intestine and increased the risk of inflammatory disease”

“maltodextrin supplements can lead to weight gain” 

Several side effects are possible from this ingredient such as:

Bloating, nausea, and stomach discomfort.
Flatulence and gassiness.
Asthma, itching, and difficulty breathing.
Unexplained weight gain. 

Due to its processed and refined nature, it can be potentially risky for dieters. This ingredient has been shown to cause obesity if not taken with caution.

Clinical studies have also been released which show it can have inflammatory problems. This can potentially lead to serious health risks within the body. 

Artificial Flavor: Man made synthetic ingredient added to help add flavor that would be otherwise difficult to keep.

It can be extracted from many ingredients such as common allergens. In some, it may produce unwanted side effects. 

Carrageenan: Thickener made from edible seaweed. This ingredient has clinical studies, which have shown it to be potentially dangerous.

One study by the Dana Institute for Disease Prevention found that it:

“had an enhancing effect in colorectal carcinogenesis in rats” 

In just 30 days, the rats that were given this ingredient suddenly had tumors. So this ingredient had a cancer causing effect. 

Acesulfame Potassium:  Artificial sweetener that provides no calories, while being around 200 times sweeter than sucrose.

A study performed by PLOS One was conducted on mice. It found that this ingredient:

“could affect cognitive functions, potentially via altering neuro-metabolic functions”

“moderate and limited influence on metabolic homeostasis, including altering fasting insulin and leptin levels” 

Though this artificial sweetener is meant to help make the shake easier on blood sugar, it showed numerous damaging effects in clinical studies.

This includes not being satiating enough, so you can eat lots of it while being able to continue to eat more. It also affected the way the mind responded to the foods given. It’s unknown what kind of a long-term effect his may have on obesity. 

Sucralose: Artificial sweetener which the body cannot break down, so it offers no calories. It can be up to 1,000 times sweeter than regular sucrose.

There has been concern over the use of this ingredient. Clinical studies have shown different potential side effects.

The Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health preformed one study:

“Evidence indicates that a 12-wk administering… exerted numerous adverse effects” 

“including reduction in beneficial fecal microflora, increased fecal Ph, and enhanced expression levels of P-gp.” 

In this study, it reduced microflora that the body uses to help control the immune system. It also increased the expression of something known as P-gp. This is found in the body only when a potential toxin enters. It’s a self defense mechanism the body uses to help potential combat potential toxins.

So when eaten, Sucralose may be considered toxic by the body. 

Xanthan Gum: Thickener and binder made from a fermented sugar and a bacteria. Due to it being often extracted from common allergens such as corn, wheat, and soy, it may produce allergies in some. Other possible side effects from this cheap thickener include:

Diarrhea, loose stools , and frequent bowel movements.
Nausea, gas, bloating, and burping.
Ill flu like feelings, and stomach problems. 

This ingredient is often added as a cheap substitute to other fiber sources. 

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven meal replacement such as 18Shake for better results.

Myoplex Quality Of Ingredients 

Though there’s just 2 grams of sugar, much of this comes from artificial sweeteners that have been shown to potentially cause metabolism disorders. There’s also highly processed additives in this shake.

A total of 290 calories is offered in their original powdered version. This is significantly higher than most meal replacements. When looking to lose weight, it’s important to limit calories, as it’s what causes weight gain.

There is a lot of protein at 42 grams, which is 84% of the daily value. The problem is that the protein added doesn’t all come from a quality source. Some of this is from calcium caseinate and milk protein concentrate. Both of these ingredients are cheap and found for much less elsewhere.

Due to the artificial ingredients, potentially dangerous artificial sweeteners, and the high amount of calories, there’s a possibility for this to actually increase weight.

The Price and Quality of Myoplex 

20 individual packets sell for $49.44. 2 shakes a day amounts to a price of $4.94 per daily serving.

This meal replacement is pricier than most brands. The high amount of  calories, artificial ingredients, and processed additives aren’t quality. They’re all cheap to add, and it this price point, it shouldn’t be this expensive.

There’s a possibility for serious weight gain, since clinical studies have shown many of the individual ingredients to be damaging to one’s metabolism.

There have also been many studies performed on the individual ingredients that show them to have health risks. In combination, it’s unknown what kind of a total impact this may have. Some ingredients have been shown to cause tumors, a lack of satiety, blood sugar issues, and many other serious issues.

Business of Myoplex 

Abbott Laboratories owns this brand, their customer service information is as follows: 

Phone Number: (800) 297-9776 

Address: 625 Cleveland Avenue

Columbus, Ohio 43215

No information is listed about whether or not they offer a money back return policy.

They have had one of the largest criminal settlement lawsuits out of any drug company. The FDA mentions:

“Abbott Laboratories Inc. has pleaded guilty and agreed to pay $1.5 billion to resolve its criminal and civil liability” 

This settlement was because of: 

“the company’s unlawful promotion” 

They were found guilty of claiming to offer health benefits from one of their drugs. This was the 2nd largest penalty ever imposed on a US drug company.

EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results with meal replacement shakes diet our experts recommend to use it at least 5 months. Save your money buying a few bags of meal replacement product.

Customer Opinions of Myoplex 

Here’s opinions from users of this meal replacement:

“it tastes sickenly super sweet and a little slimy” 

“My eyes became extremely red with a huge outbreak of bumps all over my body” 

“This product tastes like dirty feet dipped in creamed-corn” 

“Sad to say I wasted my money” 

There were numerous issues that customers had with this shake.  Many said it had a very artificial sweet taste, which made it impossible to drink. Some people had to throw away this shake immediately after giving it a try.

Some also added how this shake does not mix well, and that the texture is difficult to swallow. It had a texture which was either too thick, or “slimy”.

It’s likely because of all the artificial ingredients, that people have kept mentioning how it tastes strange.  Customers also mentioned that they couldn’t drink it after just a few sips.

Conclusion – Does Myoplex Work? 

When deciding on Myoplex, you have to look at the high amount of calories, and many processed artificial ingredients. This meal replacement does offer a lot of protein, but realistically, the average person doesn’t need this much. Also, because of the high calories and kinds of ingredients added, it’s possible for this to promote weight gain, instead of weight loss.

A much more wholesome meal replacement is offered by the 2016 best, 18Shake.  It has a high quality duo protein blend of whey protein, just 1 gram of sugar from natural stevia, and high quality fiber for proper appetite suppression. It’s for all these reasons and more that customers leave nothing but good reviews. People mention it mixes well, tastes great, and that it’s really beneficial for quick weight loss results.

18Shake is even supported by a full 30-day money back guarantee. It takes all the risk out of trying this customer approved meal replacement.