DIY Food Allergy Test

If you're interested in performing your own food allergy test, the Coca Pulse Test, created by Dr. Arthur F. Coca is a good one to try.  The theory behind this test is that allergens cause the heart rate to speed up.

The Coca Pulse Test For Allergies is a very simple, effective test that you can perform yourself in order to determine which foods you may be allergic to.

Here's one way to do it:

1. On an empty stomach, lie down & take your pulse for 60 seconds
2. Place a small sample of the suspected food under your tongue for 20 seconds & spit it out
3. Wait 20 minutes & take your pulse again for 60 seconds
4. If the pulse raises by 5 beats or more per minute, you may be allergic to this food

Another way:

1. Take pulse for 60 seconds before getting out of bed in the morning
2. Then take pulse for 60 seconds 30 & 60 minutes after each meal
3. If your heart rate goes up 10 beats or more per minute, you ate something your body doesn't like

A good starting place is with the most common food allergens: wheat/gluten, milk products, eggs, citrus, peanuts, cashews, soy, fish and shellfish, yeast and chocolate.  Also, trust your gut; you may already have an idea of certain foods that don't agree with you.

It is very important to deal with food allergies as they can lead to inflammation, irritation and can cause or aggravate any illness including chronic diseases.

For instance “heartburn” may not be due to hyperacidity or other reasons, but rather an allergic irritation.  I myself came to the realization that my daily acid reflux attacks were the result of an intolerance to sugar.  After eliminating sugar from my diet for six months (a year would have been better), I am now able to tolerate it in small amounts.

Once you find out what you're allergic to, consider an elimination diet in a hope that you may be able to return these foods to your diet without reaction.

For more detailed information, check out this PDF.

Sources:
Super Charge Your Immune System

http://www.alternativehealthzone.com/alternative-health-news/coca-pulse-test-for-allergies

Himalayan Salt Lamps!

I recently welcomed a Himalayan Natural Crystal Salt Lamp into my home - well, rather my cubicle.  I had been looking for some type of light/lamp to keep my energies up throughout the workday and when this "natural" lamp crossed my path, I decided to give it a try!  I was not disappointed!

What is it?

"Crystals hand-harvested from mineral deposits on salt cave floors that have been dated by geologists to the Precambrian Age." - eHow Health  Himalayan salt contains over 84 minerals and trace elements.  It is believed that this type of salt is the most pollutant free form of salt on earth, due to the remote locations in which it is found.  A light-bulb placed within a hollowed out middle of the formation, disburses the negative ions naturally emanating from the salt crystals.

Reported Benefits:

• Scientifically proven to work like an air purifier
• Emits negative ions that fight against positively charged particles
• Purifies by emitting negative ions to clear air of smoke, dander, pollen, bacteria and other pollutants
• Reduces the amount of electro-magnetic pollution of office equipment
• Improves breathing, providing a better night sleep
• Enhances the amount of chi (energy) present in the air (Feng Shui)
• Naturally dilutes odors
• Aids in concentration
• Reduces fatigue

Can a Salt Lamp really do all this?  

I don't know.  At this point, I can't honestly say I have noticed a difference in my environment.  However, I really enjoy looking at them - on and off!  And anything that is aesthetically pleasing has to do wonders for the mind, body and soul.  

One thing to keep in mind, the salt crystal was created by nature and carved by hand, so don't expect to get exactly what is pictured or every lamp to be the same.  Colors, textures, sizes - are all open for interpretation by Mother Nature.  Don't worry, she knows what she's doing.

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a lamp, the redder the color, the higher the mineral content, and thus the greater intensity.

Also, don't think of this as a reading lamp, but rather as an ambiance or mood enhancing lamp.  Many refer to these lamps as nightlight, due to the low glowing light they emit.

Believe it or not, you can get one of these lamps through Walmart.com, although I went through Amazon - both places are very reasonable in price.  Price wise, you can find lamps go for anywhere from $10 - $100, depending on shape and size.

After receiving my first lamp, I was compelled to get two more for my home.  I just love the warm, tranquil glow they give off and the nature element makes a nice statement piece.   

Personally, I think a Crystal Salt Lamp would make an awesome and unique housewarming gift!  Or, for anyone into meditation or yoga as these lamps are known to create an ambiance of relaxation and calmness.

Glow On!

The Hoff

Limited Free Viewing of Fresh The Movie

For a limited time, you can view, Fresh the movie, for free right in your own home!  This doc has won five film festival awards!

"FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.

Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, the recipient of MacArthur’s 2008 Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our Wal-Mart dominated economy."

What: Viewing of Fresh Documentary
When: Sunday, February 26, 2012 - Saturday, March 3, 2012
Where: Your computer
Cost: Free!

Click here to watch for FREE!

If you watch, come back here and tell me what you think!

Check out the trailer!

Doc: The Beautiful Truth

The Beautiful Truth follows a 15-year old boy in search of a cure for cancer after reading a book by a Dr. Max Gerson and the untimely death of his mother.  Garrett, who lives in Alaska takes on this monumental task as a report for school. What he finds for all intensive purposes, The Gerson Miracle.  Dr. Gerson is best known for his discovery and practice of curing cancer among other diseases through diet.

In order to determine whether or not this is possible, Garrett begins a cross-country road trip to research and conduct interviews; including one with Charlotte Gerson, daughter of the late Dr. Gerson.  What he discovers are the dangers of fluoride, mercury, food additives, processed foods, genetically engineered seeds (GMOs), environmental issues, among other things.

Garret, asks the question, "Is there hope?"

The answer he found...yes.

Check it out for yourself!

Rehydrate Your Greens!

Broccoli Rabe Brought Back To Life

I am constantly loading up on greens and by the end of the week, those left standing are a little limp, sad and unappealing.  Don't throw these greens out - revive them!

I recently learned (why this never occurred to me...) that you can bring back limp and droopy greens just like you do cut flowers! Simply chop off the ends of whatever, for this example we'll use Broccoli Rabe and immerse in a bowl of cold water.  After about 10 minutes, the leaves will come back to life!

The theory is pretty simple: greens, are very water dense, they start to look bad because they have lost some of this water content, you just need to replace it before eating!

See, you're not the only one who needs to hydrate!
The Hoff

Hoff Hit: Food for Thought

"An education will make you a living, but self education will make your a fortune." - Jim Rohn, Business Philosopher

Hoff's Minestrone Soup

The beauty of this recipe is that is really packs in a lot of veggies and it's a great way to use up anything lying around.  I encourage you to substitute any veggies or add more/less to suit your taste!

Hoff's Minestrone Soup
Yields: A lot!
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free
 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Veggie Broth
• 4 cups Water
• 3 Swiss Chard leaves (chopped)
• 1 Potato (chopped)
• 1 Zucchini (chopped)
• 1 cup Carrots Sticks
• 1 cup Corn
• 1 cup Lima Beans
• 1 - 15oz can Tomato Sauce
• 1 - 15oz can Diced Tomatoes (seasoned)
• 1 - 15oz can Kidney Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 cup small Whole Wheat Pasta
• 1 small Onion (chopped)
• 2-3 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 1 - 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Cumin
• Sea Salt

Directions:

1. In a very large crock pot set to high, soften Onions & Garlic while preparing the rest of the ingredients
2. Reduce to Low
3. Add Veggie Broth & Tomato Sauce & all ingredients except Water & Pasta
4. Add just enough Water to cover all the veggies in your pot (may need more or less than 4 cups)
5. Cook for 4-6 hours
6. 20 minutes prior to serving, add any Pasta that cooks in under 10 minutes, 35-40 minutes for Pastas that takes longer to cook or cook Pasta alone & add to soup just before serving
7. Adjust Seasonings as needed

My2Cents: Experiment with rice instead of pasta, try a variety of Greens!  Depending on the time of year, this soup can be combination of fresh, frozen & canned - use what ya got!

Push Up Calculator

Check out this online Push Up Calculator, which will tell you based on your sex, age and how many push ups you can do, how you stack up against the population average and how you rate!

This handy little calculator will evaluate your upper body muscular endurance for individuals between 15 - 69 years of age.

The Healthy Hoff didn't do so well, I got a "Fair" rating and was well below the population average.  I'll admit, push ups aren't my thing, but now I know it's something I need to work on.

Push It!

The Hoff

Quick & Easy Creamy Vegan Sauce

Quick & Easy Creamy Vegan Sauce
Yields: 1 1/2 cups


Ingredients:

• 1-2 tbsp Flour
• 1/2 cup Milk substitute of choice
• 1 cup Veggie Broth
• Seasonings of choice (Sea Salt, Bragg's Liquid Amino Acids, Garlic, Pepper, etc.)

Directions:

1. Mix Flour into whatever you want the sauce with (veggies, pasta, rice, etc.)
2. Add Milk & Broth and stir occasionally, heat through until sauce is desired consistency
3. Add Seasonings
4. That's it!

My2Cents: Sauce will thicken even more if held until the following day.

Disgust Could Keep You Healthy

People who are easily disgusted are less likely to get sick (colds, stomach bugs, infections, etc.), because they are acutely aware of their surroundings and have a hard time touching things that they know have been touched (infested!) by others.

Germaphobes Unite! (just don't touch me)
The Hoff

Source: That's Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion, by Brown University professor Rachel Herz

Hoff Hero

This sandwich was inspired by my love of Mr Hero's.  Back in the day my go to order was a Mushroom Cheesesteak and a Mountain Dew and the occasional Roman Burger.  Mmmmm, memories.  This recipe takes elements from those two beloved sandwiches and while not exactly the same, it's much, much healthier!



Hoff Hero
Yields: 4 sandwiches
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free


Ingredients: 

• 1 Onion - thinly sliced
• 1 Pepper - thinly sliced
• 1 cartoon sliced Mushrooms
• 4 Vegan Veggie Burgers
• 4 Hoagie/Steak Buns
• Romaine Lettuce
• Tomato
• Sea Salt
• Liquid Smoke
• Mustard

Directions:

1. Sautee Onion until it starts to brown
2. Add Pepper & Mushrooms, sautee until softened
3. Season with Sea Salt & Liquid Smoke
4. Cook Burgers according to package & cut in half
5. Make room for filling by removing some of the inside bread & toast Buns
6. Assemble sandwiches by dividing ingredients four ways and enjoy!

Hoff Hit: Headache

Gotta unexplained headache?  Could be your body crying out for water!   So, suck some up and re-hydrate your brain - stat!

Snack Attack: Frosted Shredded Wheat

Believe it or not, I recently found a frosted cereal that did not contain high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

Instead, Post Frosted Shredded Wheat relies on sugar & brown sugar - whole foods, what a concept!  Aside from those two ingredients, this cereal contains whole grain wheat, resulting in 6 grams of fiber for one cup - nice!  I have to say the last and final ingredient is BHT, a preservative (almost perfect).  Not too many cereals you can pick up with only four ingredients & you can pronounce them!

For me, this is a snack because at 12 grams of sugar per cup, that's a little high to chow down on every morning.

Thanks Post!
The Hoff

P.S. I like the Kellogg's dig on the packaging, get it together Kellogg's!

Event: Vegan Dinner & A Movie!

Join the West Shore Vegetarian Group and Cooking with C.A.R.E for dinner and a movie, with a showing of Forks over Knives!

Forks over Knives is an excellent documentary that examines the research and application of how a plant-based, whole food diet can impact your health and wellness.

A full vegan meal will be served!

What: Vegan Dinner & Viewing of Forks over Knives
When: Saturday, 2.25.2011
Where: West Shore Unitarian Church, 20401 Hillard Blvd. Rocky River, OH
Time: Dinner served at 6:00pm
Cost: $10 per person (Tickets MUST be purchased in advance.)

Email Chef Robin for ticket information.

Sprouting: Day 7

Day 7

Day 7 and it's time to eat my sprouts!  You don't want to grow your sprouts too long, because they may get bitter.  Ideal sprout length is between 2 1/2 to 4 inches.

My picture does not do these sprouts justice; I would say my 4 tbsp of seeds yielded about 2 1/2 cups of sprouts!

I dumped the sprouts into a bowl filled with water.  This allowed those green skins/hulls to float to the surface while my sprouts dropped to the bottom.  I skimmed off the hulls and threw my sprouts into my salad spinner to aid in their drying.  Getting rid of the hulls is an optional step, they are edible and you probably won't even notice them.

Then I laid the sprouts out on paper towels until I was confident they were dry.  Then off to a freezer ziplock bag they went, with a paper towel to remove moisture and into the frig, where they should keep for about 7 days.

If it weren't the dead of winter and I could get access to some reliable sunlight, I would have left my sprouts in the sun for at least 15 minutes.  Not only helping them dry but to activates the enzymes that produce chlorophyll A and allow the sprout's leaves to turn green.  But, they will be just fine without it for now.

Be sure to inspect your sprouts for mold, if it is present, throw away your sprouts.  I know this can be hard (you've bonded), but better safe than sorry.  If you rinsed and drained properly, odds are this will never happen.

Now, I have to say that these Mung Bean Sprouts are nothing like you buy in the store and what I previously wrote about so affectionately.  I'm not enjoying these sprouts as much, they don't taste so great alone, are much smaller and have a bite to them.  Also, they taste "green", which is the only way I can figure how to articulate their flavor.  I can only imagine that I am so used to eating "old" food, that fresh food is foreign to my palette.  I am not going to give up, though!  I am happy to say that they virtually disappeared in my daily wrap, so all is good!

I hope my adventures in sprouting have inspired you to give it a try.

Happy Sprouting!
The Hoff

Sprouting: Day 6

Day 6

Day 6 and my sprouts are almost ready to eat!  My gut is telling me to let them go another day.  There is only about a 1/2" of space left in the bottle, the sprouts have taken over the rest!

I'm using tap water to rinse my sprouts only because I have water filters on the main lines coming into the house.  If you don't have water filters, it is best to avoid using tap water as the addition of chlorine can result in poor sprouting.  If this is the case, you can use spring water.  I avoid using distilled water as the minerals have been stripped out.

One more day - Day 7!
The Hoff

Sprouting: Day 5

Day 5

Day 5 and lots of action!

The seeds are very plump, the tails much longer, almost all the green skins have fallen off to expose an almost beige seed, which is starting to turn a purplish color on the ends.  Opposite of the white tales, the seed is starting to split and a little green lizard like tongue is making an appearance.  Tiny little leaves are starting to form as well.  The bottle is 3/4 full and if these little guys aren't ready to eat soon, I'm going to have to take half of the sprouts out and continue growing in another bottle.

My gut tells me these sprouts are not ready to eat, but I suspect any day now - Day 6!

The Hoff

Sprouting: Day 4

Day 4

Day 4 and my sprouts now take up half the bottle.  The little white tales are getting longer and the seeds are getting bigger!

After rinsing, I turn the bottle to encourage the sprouts to stick to the sides instead of clumping together in the lid.  This helps with  airflow and allows them to dry in order to prevent mold from forming.

Any day now - Day 5!
The Hoff

Sprouting: Day 3

Day 3

Day 3!  Lots of action today.

I once again rinsed & drained my little seeds, once in the morning & again in the evening.  Swirling the water around in the jar to ensure each little seed was washed.  My seeds are growing - starting to fill up the jar, some of the green skins/hulls have completely fallen off and little white tails are starting to make an appearance - kinda looks like tadpoles!

Very Exciting - Day 4!
The Hoff

Sprouting: Day 2

Day 2

Day 2 into my sprouting experience and I have once again rinsed & drained my sprout seeds and left the jar titled upside down in order to allow an excess water to drip out & air to flow into the jar.  The rinsing is very important because you are getting rid of any bacteria that could lead to mold.

Not much of a change today, other than the little green skins have broken apart to expose the white seed they were covering.

Till Tomorrow - Day 3!
The Hoff

Sprouting: Day 1

Day 1

As you know from my previous post, I have decided to take on sprouting as my next challenge!

I'm going to chronicle my experience, to give you an idea of what to expect on your sprouting adventure.

So, this is Day 1.

I have decided to start with Mung Bean Sprouts, because I have read that they are pretty hardy and difficult to screw up.

Following the directions on the package of my seeds, I rinsed 4 tbsp of Mung Bean to ensure all dirt or soil was removed and there were no tiny stones.  Tossed those into my glass canning jar and covered it with water.  Actually, you only need to go above the seeds with a 1/2" of water, but I wasn't taking any chances so I filled up the jar!  I used room temperature Spring Water for this, for no particular reason.  Filtered tap water would be just fine as well.

I placed the jar out direct sunlight and let it soak over night.

In the morning, I dumped the water, using the handy screened top and then rinse the seeds with running, filtered tap water.  Swirled the water around a bit and then dumped it all out, shaking the bottle to get every drop out.  I then left the bottle upside down at a 45 degree angle in my dish rack, again, out of direct sunlight for the entire day.

When I returned home from work, I repeated the "washing" ritual from the morning and let the bottle sit and drain overnight.

Can wait to see what tomorrow brings...Day 2!
The Hoff

Sprouting: What Is It?

Recently, I have discovered the magical world of Sprouts and the art of Sprouting!  I was blown away by how something so tiny and so simple to grow, could deliver such a powerhouse of nutrients and health benefits - truly amazing!

Sprouting is simply soaking seeds in water and then allowing them to germinate until the very first signs of plant growth appear.  Then you eat them - super simple!

I personally never buy alfalfa sprouts from the grocery store due to an unusually high incidence of E. Coli, salmonella and  listeria contamination.  That and sprouts, even organic, are commonly sprayed with chlorine or food grade hydrogen peroxide to prevent mold and extend their very short self-life.

Benefits of Sprouts

Due to the numerous enzymes, sprouts are rich in easily digestible energy.

They are abundant in antioxidants, full of protein, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.  Chlorophyll is the ultimate blood purifier, intestinal cleanser and removes toxins from the body - in fact sprouts are nature's great cleaner!

Sprouts contain beneficial fiber.

Sprouts are very alkaline and can help balance the body.

It's best to eat sprouts raw to preserve all their beneficial nutrients.

Each different type of sprout comes with it's own unique benefits, but just to give you a perspective of the type of health benefits you can expect, one ounce of Broccoli Sprouts is the same as 3 pounds of Broccoli from a nutrient standpoint!  How is this possible?  Well, each sprout has the complete nutritional makeup of a full grown vegetable and one ounce, about the amount that fits in the palm of your hand is about 100 sprouts.  So when you eat one ounce of sprouts, when it comes to all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals you are eating 100 vegetables!

Sprouting Is Cheap!

Fancy equipment although available is so not necessary for sprouting.  Canning jars are a popular and cheap choice to grow sprouts.  You can use a fancy plastic lid with a built-in mesh screen to aid in drainage or make your own.  Sprouting seeds are cheap when you think about how much you can grow with just a few tablespoons of seeds.  And water, everyone has access to that!  That's really all you need to sprout.  Google sprouting and you will find all kinds of websites eager to help get you started, such as Back Yard Nature.

I Don't Have Time!

Yes you do.  Sprouting requires minimal time and effort.  Once you have rinsed and soaked your seeds, simply rinse with water twice a day.  Within 3 - 6 days, you have sprouts!

I Kill Plants!

So do I, but trust me, sprouting is so simple that you & I can do it! We really just have to get the process started and the sprouts take care of the rest. Mother Nature, go figure!

Getting Started

One good source for organic sprouting seeds is MountainRoseHerbs.com.  You can buy in 4oz, 8oz or 1lb increments.  Seeds can start at $2 and go up to $24 depending on which variety and how much you want. 

Canning jars are the typical go-to vessel for sprouters and can be found at Walmart and perhaps even your grandparent's basement.  Make sure you get the wide mouth opening in at least the quart size.  If you want a bigger jar (half gallon), you may have to buy online from Ball or Amazon.  Although, I have heard this size can be found at a hardware store.

You can buy sprouting lids, which come in metal or plastic.  Make sure to get the plastic as the metal are prone to rust.  You can also make your own lid using a rubber band and anything that will allow water to filter through and air to circulate in - some common materials used: cheesecloth and nylon.    If you are prone to fruit flies in the summer months, an alternative screening solution will work better than the ready-made lids.

Or just buy a sprouting kit!  I got mine kit from The Wellness Forum.  They don't have online ordering, so you have to call to place an order - 1.800.761.8210

The kit is $45.95 and includes everything you need to get started: 2 quart glass canning jars, 2 sets of lids (3 each with varied size screens), one pack of Mung Bean, Radish & Broccoli seeds.

Sprouting Is Easy!

1. Rinse seeds
2. Soak seeds overnight
3. Drain and rinse seeds again, keep jar at a 45 degree angle to allow water to drip out and air to flow in
4. Repeat Step 3, twice a day - once in the morning, once at night
5. After 3-6 days, (depending on type of seeds) sprouts are ready to eat
6. Expose to sunlight for up to 15 minutes, allow to dry and store in frig for up to a week

Best of all, there is no "right season" to grow sprouts, you can do it anytime of year.  Which means, when the cold, cruel snows bury us, we can still have fresh veggies whenever we want!

Storage

Sprouts can be kept in the frig for up to two weeks.  Just make sure to keep them dry.

You Grew Them, Now What?

Let the eating extravaganza begin!  Eating sprouts, due to their size, is the equivalent of eating hundreds of full grown plants!

Use them in:

• Salads
• Sandwiches
  
• Wraps
• Soups
• Smoothies
• Juices
• Stir-fry's
• Side dish

Check out this cool YouTube video, courtesy of Dara of Live Love Raw for more info & inspiration!

Go Sprout!

The Hoff

Sources: 
http://sproutpeople.org/
http://www.energiseforlife.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al_rAx5optw&feature=relmfu

Quinoa

Quinoa, pronounced as KEEN-WAH, is actually a seed, not a grain - a common misconception. However, it is prepared and used in the same manner as rice or couscous.

Once prepared, Quinoa is light and fluffy, making it fun to eat!  It is about the same size of couscous, brown in color and has a slight nutty flavor.

Since Quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids, it is considered a complete protein source.  It also provides a good source of fiber, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.  Plus, Quinoa is gluten-free and is very easy to digest.

Preparation is super simple and quick! 

Cover 1 cup of Quinoa with 2 cups water or vegetable broth, bring to a boil, cover & reduce to simmer, cook for 15 minutes.  Let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.  Add seasonings and veggies to enhance!  Toasted pine nuts and caramelized onions are an excellent compliment to this tasty treat.

Try it!

Hoff Hit: Muscle & Fat

Muscle burns fat in your sleep - in your sleep people!  Hit the weights!

Pam Cooking Spray Scam!

This post was inspired by a lecture given by Jeff Novick, "When "fat free" really means 100% fat."

Pam Cooking Spray is Fat Free and Calorie Free, right?  The label says it is, so it must be true!

Sorry folks, Pam lied to you - how dare she!

Pam Cooking Spray is made with pure oil, which is concentrated fat and calories, so how did she get rid of the fat and calories?

Well, the FDA helped her out.  By FDA labeling standards, if something is less than .5 grams per serving, then the product can "claim" that it's not there.  But it is there, because .5 grams is something and very few of us actually use the recommended serving size and in the case of Pam Cooking Spray, it is impossible to use only the recommended serving unless you are a super ninja.  (Are you a super ninja, because I'd really like to meet you!)

To give you perspective, .5 grams of this spray is the size of a molecule - a molecule, people!

Allow me to explain...

A serving size for Pam Cooking spray is 1/3 of a second of spraying time.  Are you kidding me?!?  Again, only a super ninja can do something 1/3 of a second!  Don't you find it odd that this can has 702 servings?!?  And lets be honest, when we get those cans in our hands we turn into graffiti artists, coating the surface until it shines!

What can you do?

You can stop yourself from being duped by reading the ingredients label.  Because, while the FDA will allow a product to make false claims on the front of the packaging, the back of the packaging has to come clean.  Full disclosure, for the most part, with the ingredients label (beware of "natural flavorings").  So when a product claims to be trans-fat free, you'll know better when you see partially hydrogenated oil among the list of ingredients.

Too funny not to share...

Observe that this Smart Balance can to the right states that it is "Fat Free", yet it contains the "Right Balance of Fats".  Now, I went to college and even I don't get how that's possible.  And since when does fat help cholesterol?

Stop the Lies!
The Hoff