Vitamin D - Do You Need Extra?

I've been hearing comments recently that most people do not get enough Vitamin D in their diet.  My doctor recommended I take a supplement, especially during the winter.  Since I started taking it, I no longer get a nasty rash on my inner elbow in the winter.

Vitamin D is referred to as the "Sunshine Vitamin" because its produced in your skin as a response to sunlight so when you are outside in the summer you are producing it.  Up here in Alaska, we are covered from head to toe so we do not get exposed to the sunlight.  I fall into the category of needing to supplement due to lack of exposure.

You may be wondering what's so important about getting enough Vitamin D?  Well aside from aiding in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, it also helps with the immune system, and development of strong teeth and bones.

According to several studies, Vitamin D may reduce your risk of heart disease, risk of multiple sclerosis, and decrease your chances of getting the flu.  In addition, it appears that this vitamin can help regulate moods and decrease the possibility of depression.

It is recommended that you expose your skin to the sun for 10 minutes a day before you apply the sunscreen because that can block your production of Vitamin D.  Furthermore, pollution, being indoors, and living around tall buildings can interfere with Vitamin D production.  This can be helped by eating a diet including salmon, sardines, egg yolks and juices that have been fortified with the vitamin.  If you have darker skin or are older, your body may not be producing as much as you need.

It is recommended you take between 1000 and 2000 mg per day by mouth and if you take too high a does it is possible to have calcium accumulate in the blood which could cause kidney stones. 

I cannot suggest you supplement with this vitamin but if you think you are deficient, see your doctor and check with him or her.  Have a nice day and let me know what you think!

Travel Insurance, Do You Really Need It?

  If you travel by air a lot, you will notice a place in the check out line asking if you want to spend a certain amount of money to purchase travel insurance.

Travel insurance states it will help get money back if you have to cancel flights, hotels, cars, etc.  I admit, I've never used it and the only time I had to cancel flights due to major medical emergencies, I have not had any problems without it but that was before I left.

There are four things travel insurance can cover.  First is trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage which can cover the cost of the tickets.  Second covers baggage and personal items so if they are stolen or lost, you can get some sort of reimbursement.  Third is emergency medical so if something happens, you'll be taken care of and fourth is accidental death or dismemberment.

It turns out this is not a simple question to answer because there are a lot of factors involved such as:

 1. Is the reason you cancelled your flight due to medical?  If so, many of the airlines will allow you to cancel if you can send a doctor's note.  Some will accept your word for it.

2. Does your credit card cover this particular situation?  Many airline credit cards have travel insurance built in to the benefits so check before you book.

3. Does the insurance only cover what you booked before you leave?  I am one of those folks who often makes reservations after I get to where I'm going because I can find better deals or I figure out my itinerary when I get there.

4. Did you book your hotel through a company that allows for cancellation up to 24 hours in advance with full refund?

5. Do you have health insurance which is accepted where you are going?  If you travel in the country you live in, its usually not much of a problem but if you are going overseas?  Your medical may not work there.

6.  For accidental death or dismemberment, many people already have policies through work so you may not need this.

So how do you decide its worth buying?
1.  Ask yourself how much of a financial disaster it would be if things go amiss.  For instance, if you paid for an expensive travel package overseas, it would probably be good to get it but if its a cheap last minute ticket, probably not.

2. Check out your credit card travel coverage to see what it covers.

3. Find out the cost of travel insurance both through the airlines and through independent companies so as to compare both cost and coverage.

It is recommended to get travel insurance if you:
1. Spend over $5000 on a tour package including cruises.

2. If you have a long and complex itinerary.

3. If you leave the country.

4.  If you are on medicare and leave the country.

Skip it if you are staying with friends rather than hotels, have a pre-existing medical condition not covered by the policy or if you already have coverage.

If you buy travel insurance, it is recommended you get one that has a "cancel for any reason" clause because that allows you to cancel without penalty as long as you cancel within the state period, buy it before you buy your trip, and it covers what other available policies does not. 

Hope this helps you decide if you need travel insurance.  Let me know your thoughts.

11 Ways To Use Coffee In Your Cooking.

When I was growing up, there was a friendly argument among my relatives over using instant or brewed coffee when cooking or baking.  My aunt always used her left over coffee that had been left on the burner and was both thick and bitter.  My mother on the other hand preferred instant because that's what she and dad used.

I stayed out of the argument because I don't like coffee flavored anything and I still don't drink it.  I prefer my tea.

So I decided to find out who was right because both women felt like they were right.  My aunt complained my mother's baked goods had too much coffee flavor and my mother said her goods had a bitter flavor without much coffee too it.

Most recipes ask the person to use instant coffee because the water has already been taken out so you only get the coffee flavor and you can control the amount going in.  If you use brewed coffee, it has a fair bit of water and can make it more difficult to have the product come put right.  Its like the difference between using those concentrated bottle flavorings vs using the real thing.

The only brewed coffee that might work with some adjustment is espresso because its flavor is so concentrated to begin with.  I did read of a person who grinds their coffee so its a fine as possible, then brews it triple strength in a french press to use in baking.  She adjusts the added liquid to make up for the liquid in the brewed coffee.

So what are some ways to use coffee in your cooking?

1.  Add coffee to your marinade because it adds flavor and helps tenderize the meat.

2. Mix ground coffee, paprika, and salt together to create a spice rub for pork and other meats. Its possible to use instant coffee instead of the grounds.  You might want to add cocoa to the mix for a bit of added flavor.

3. You can add it to a sauce for the eggs, mix with butter to top pancakes, or make a southern style gravy.

4. Buy a jar of instant espresso and use in baked desserts to finish a great meal. 

5. Make a paste of coffee grounds, brown sugar, and cayanne to marinate your bacon in for a level of added flavor.

6. When you make granola, add some coffee grounds to the mixture before baking for the coffee flavor.

7. For a coffee flavored coffee cake, replace half the liquid with strongly brewed coffee.

8. How about coffee cured tuna for a different but exciting change of pace.  Click to find the recipe.

9.  Make coffee flavored ice cream or pop cycles which use brewed coffee.

10. Throw some ground coffee into your cookies for that added zing.

11. How about pork loins flavored with coffee and cola?  Check out the recipe.

Hope you found something you liked in the list above.  Let me know your thoughts.

Happiness part 2

Happiness is:

Black Friday?

  Have you ever wondered how the day after thanksgiving has become "Black Friday", complete with sales and madness?  I have but up until today, I've never done anything about finding out.  Historically, the term "Black Friday" has referred to several events beginning in 1869 when two people purposely tried to buy up enough gold to cause the price to go up before they sold it at a huge profit.  The scam was discovered but in the process, the stock market took a serious nose dive.

One story on the shopping Black Friday is that the day after thanksgiving is the day when retailers finally start making a profit but this may not be the origin of the phrase.

This particular Friday became known as the kickoff to the holiday season beginning in 1924 when Macy's began their Thanksgiving day parade.  

It is said that this term originated in Philadelphia back in the 1950's when masses of people converged on the town in preparation for the annual Army-Navy Football game played the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  According to accounts of this day, it was total mayhem and absolutely crazy.

People who came in for the games would come early to shop while others came in because this day is the day when Santa made his first appearance in stores. The influx of visitors meant that police officers were unable to get any time off and had to work longer shifts to cover the city due to an increase in crime.  By 1961, this was an annual event in Philly but it wasn't until the 1980's that the term and concept spread nation wide.

As time passed, the event spread to cover 4 days so now it includes Cyber Monday.  In fact, Black Friday now begins the day before Thanksgiving and due to the internet, one does not have to leave your house to take advantage of many of the specials.

Do you head out to the malls or do you shop from the comfort of home?  I shop from the comfort of home because I don't live where there are Black Friday sales but I know people who head out to try to buy that 1 TV on sale for $50 so they are lined up and ready to go at 5 AM. 

Have a good day.

Happy Thanksgiving