Chantal's New York Cheesecake

15 Graham Crackers Crushed
2-3 Tablespoons melted butter

4 (8 oz) packages Low Fat Cream Cheese
1 1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar
3/4 Cup Fat Free Milk
4 Eggs
1 Cup Fat Free Sour Cream
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 Cup Unbleached Flour
2 T. Cornstarch

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cooking Spray a 9 inch springform pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press onto bottom of springform pan.
3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Blend in milk, and then mix in the eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to incorporate. Mix in sour cream, vanilla, cornstarch, and flour until smooth. Pour filling into prepared crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, and let cake cool in oven with the door closed for 5 to 6 hours; this may help to prevent cracking. Chill in refrigerator about 6 hours before serving.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chantals-new-york-cheesecake/

Vitamin B12 & Tinnitus

Last Updated: Oct 24, 2013 | By Brindusa Vanta

Dietary sources of B-12 include meat. Photo Credit meat image by sameer said ahmed from Fotolia.com

Vitamin B-12 also known as cobolamin is a water soluble vitamin. It plays and important role in the formation of red blood cells and metabolism of sugars, fats and proteins. It is also helps maintain healthy nervous system and some research studies found it beneficial for improving tinnitus, especially when this condition is associated with a shortage of this nutrient. If you consider taking vitamin B-12 for your symptoms, first talk to your doctor.

About Tinnitus

Tinnitus, a noise in the ears is a common condition, affecting one in five individuals, according to Mayo Clinic. It can be perceived as a ringing, buzzing or clicking sound that may be vary in intensity and frequency throughout the day. It can be caused by damage of the inner ear, deterioration from the aging process or injury from working in a noisy environment. Tinnitus may also manifest as part of some medical conditions like Meniere's disease, stress or head trauma.

Tinnitus & B-12 Deficiency

People suffering from tinnitus should test whether or not they have B-12 deficiency, as a shortage of this nutrient has been linked with chronic tinnitus and noise induced hearing loss. This is the conclusion of a study published in March 1993 issue of "American Journal of Otolaryngology." The authors evaluated over 100 subjects exposed to noise and 47 of the participants diagnosed with tinnitus had vitamin B-12 deficiency. Some of them also had symptoms improved when received supplementation with B-12.

• B-12 Therapy for Tinnitus

Michael Murray, ND and author of "The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicine", also supports the fact that B-12 deficiency is common in people who have tinnitus. He indicates that supplementation with B-12 may improve symptoms of tinnitus in individuals who are deficient in this nutrient, however is less likely to benefit those who have adequate blood levels of this vitamin.

Dosage and Drug Interactions

To manage tinnitus a daily dose between 1,000 and 2,000 mc daily of vitamin B-12 along with a B complex formula, vitamins A, C and E are suggested by James Balch, MD, and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Blood levels of vitamin B-12 may be lowered by some medications including antibiotics, anti diabetes and chemo drugs.

Considerations

Consult a qualified health care professional to find out the underlying cause of your condition and whether or not you have low blood levels of vitamin B-12. Keep in mind that vitamins and other supplements do not replace and should not be used to replace any conventional drugs prescribed for tinnitus. Vitamin B-12 is not approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the management of tinnitus.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/407911-vitamin-b12-tinnitus/

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I usually make cookies with cake mixes, but as I was out of cake mixes at the time and "needed" some chocolate chip cookies, I looked up a recipe on the internet.  Of course being as I need very low fat and low sodium food I changed out the recipe, as always to meet my needs.  It still turned out delicious. Here is what I came up with.

1/2 Cup Fat Free Vanilla Chobani Yogurt
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 1/2 Bags Milk Chocolate Chips
2 1/4 Cups Unbleached Flour
3/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda

X-tra  sugar for rolling cookies in.

Mix first 5 ingredients in bowl with electric mixer.
Add Chocolate chips, flour and baking soda.
Mix well.
Refrigerate in airtight container for 1 or more hours for best results before cooking.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheight
Spray with cooking spray or use parchment paper an air bake cookie sheet (only cookie sheets I ever use)
Spoon cookies into bowl of sugar.  Roll cookies in sugar and then place on cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 for 8 -12 minutes or until just golden brown.
Let cool on cookie sheet for 2-5 minutes before removing.   

Meniere's Disease

Definition

Meniere's disease is a disorder of the labyrinth in the inner ear. The labyrinth is a system of cavities and canals in the inner ear that affects hearing, balance, and eye movement.

The Inner Ear

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

An increase in the volume or pressure of fluid in the labyrinth can result in Meniere's disease. The cause of these fluid changes is unknown. Possible causes may include:

• Part of the labyrinth ruptures, allowing fluid in different compartments to mix
• Scar tissue causes a blockage in the labyrinth
• Inner ear injury due to:
  • Viral infection
  • Syphilis , a sexually-transmitted disease
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Blood vessel problems
  • High cholesterol or other fats in the blood
  • Hormonal disorders
  • Medications, such as antibiotics and chemotherapy agents

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for Meniere's disease include:

• Age: 20 to 60
• Race: Caucasian
• Family history of Meniere's disease
• Stress
• Allergies
• Excess salt in the diet
• Excess noise

Symptoms

The intensity of symptoms can vary from one person to another. Symptoms usually come on suddenly. They typically involve only one ear, but may involve both.

Symptoms may include:

• Episodes of vertigo (spinning sensation), often accompanied by:
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Paleness of the skin
  • Weakness or falling
  • In some cases, headache or diarrhea
• Hearing loss may worsen during attacks of vertigo
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
• Poor sense of balance
• A tendency for symptoms to worsen with movement

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. This will include an examination of your ears and a neurologic exam to evaluate for possible nerve damage.

Tests may include:

• Blood tests—to check for an underlying cause
• Hearing test —this is also called an audiometry
• Electronystagmogram—a type of eye movement test
• Auditory brainstem response—measures electrical activity in the hearing nerve and brain stem
• Electrocochleogram—measures electrical response of the inner ear to sound
• MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the ear

Treatment

Treatment may include:

Dietary and Lifestyle Changes

These may help limit symptoms:

• Bed-rest during acute attacks of vertigo
• Avoid foods that are high in salt and high in sugar
• Drink adequate fluids
• Promptly begin replacing fluids lost to heat or exercise
• Avoid caffeine, aspirin, and smoking
• Minimize stress
• Avoid medications that seem to bring on or worsen symptoms
• Consider a hearing aid, if necessary
• Consider masking devices (white noise) to limit the effects of tinnitus
• Take safety measures to avoid falling
• Restrict chocolate consumption
• Reduce alcohol intake

Vestibular Exercises (Vestibular Rehabilitation)

Your doctor may suggest specific vestibular exercises. These exercises use a series of eye, head, and body movements to get the body used to moving without dizziness. You may work with a physical therapist to learn these.

Medications

Medications include:

• Drugs to treat vertigo, such as meclizine or scopolamine
• Antiemetics—medications to help control nausea
• Other medications that may improve hearing, control inner ear swelling, or limit overall symptoms, including:
  • Antihistamines
  • Cortisone drugs for a short time
  • Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications
  • Diuretics
• Aminoglycoside therapy (such as streptomycin or gentamicin) to permanently destroy the part of the inner ear that deals with balance

Surgery

Surgical procedures are not always helpful, and include:

• Endolymphatic sac decompression—removal of a portion of inner ear bone and placing a tube in the inner ear to drain excess fluid
• Labyrinthectomy—destruction or removal of the entire inner ear, which controls balance and hearing
• Vestibular nerve section

Prevention

There are no specific guidelines for preventing Meniere's disease. However, to help reduce your risk, avoid the following risk factors:

• High-salt diet
• High-sugar diet
• Excess noise
• Excess alcohol
• Stress
• Smoking
• Use of drugs that can be toxic to the ear such aminoglycosides, aspirin, and quinine

http://www.lifescript.com/health/a-z/conditions_a-z/conditions/m/menieres_disease.aspx?gclid=CjkKEQjw8YSdBRChhPXJvPvMztABEiQAkn893nCk_F5eg3s5cCx9CjGwLs03093WIDVysRpNI39I9JPw_wcB&trans=1&du=1&ef_id=UoVMugAAAVw7Y6vm:20140618144558:s

Map Of The Gallbladder

http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/gallbladder

Healthline.com recently launched a free interactive "Human Body Maps" tool. I thought your readers would be interested in our body map of the Gallbladder: http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/gallbladder

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped, hollow structure located under the liver and on the right side of the abdomen. Its primary function is to store and concentrate bile, a yellow-brown digestive liquid produced by the liver. The gallbladder is part of the biliary tract. The gallbladder serves as a reservoir for bile that is not immediately used for digestion. The gallbladder's absorptive epithelial lining concentrates the stored bile. When food enters the small intestine, a hormone called cholecystokinin is released, signaling the gallbladder to contract and secrete bile into the small intestine through the common bile duct. The bile helps the digestive process by emulsifying fats and neutralizing acids in partially-digested food. An excess of cholesterol, bilirubin or bile salts can cause gallstones to form. Gallstones are small, hard deposits inside the gallbladder that are formed when the stored bile crystallizes. A person with gallstones will rarely feel any symptoms until the gallstones reach a certain size, or if the gallstone obstructs the bile ducts. Surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the most common way to treat gallstones.

Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Fat Free Vanilla Chobani Yogurt
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
• 3/4 cup stick pretzels, broken into thirds
• 1/2 cup caramel bits
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

1. In a stand mixer, cream yogurt with sugars. Add vanilla & egg. Incorporate & scrape bowl.
2. Combine baking soda, & flour. Gradually add to wet mixture. Mix until combined.
3. Fold in broken pretzels, caramel bits, & chocolate chips with a spatula.
4. Spoon onto a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Bake at 350*F for 11-12 minutes.

http://annalunchideas.blogspot.com/2014/05/caramel-pretzel-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup unsalted butter divided
8 oz. package Fat Free cream cheese, room temperature
1 t. vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
1-3 T. Fat Free milk

In a small saucepan, over medium heat, heat 1/4 cup butter until browned. Cube up the other half of butter and place in a small bowl, pour browned butter over top and mix until all the butter is melted. In a large bowl beat butter, cream cheese, vanilla and sugar until creamy. Add 1-3 T. cold milk if needed to thin to a spreading consistency. Frost any cake with this frosting. Chill until ready to serve. Makes about 4 cups frosting.

http://www.bigredkitchen.com/2008/11/browned-butter-cream-cheese-frosting/