Butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and apples are all amazing fall superfoods and the perfect reason to get cooking. Cheap and versatile, butternut squash is loaded with fiber and vitamin A. For an easy butternut squash mash, cut the squash in half, discard the seeds and roast for about 1 hour at 350 degrees. Scoop out the flesh and mash with olive oil, chopped fresh rosemary, grated Pecorino cheese and salt. Roasting is also a great way to prepare Brussels sprouts, rich in vitamins C and K. Cut Brussels sprouts in half and saute with some olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until lightly browned. Then bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for eight to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and chopped hazelnuts. Apples are a great source of hunger-busting fiber, and apples baked in a slow-cooker make for a fabulous, filling dessert that’s quick to prepare. Easy-As-Pie Baked Apples 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins or prunes 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon cinnamon 6 Gala or Macintosh apples 1/2 cup apple juice or cider 2 tablespoons orange liquor (optional) In a large bowl, mix the sugar, walnuts, butter and cinnamon to make a filling. Using a grapefruit spoon with sharp edges, a melon baller or a small paring knife, core most of the way through each…  read on >

Novartis, the maker of a generic form of the popular heartburn drug Zantac, said Wednesday it will cease distribution of the medicine after investigations suggested that generic and branded versions contain a known carcinogen. A distribution halt is not the same as a full recall, and it means that generic Zantac (ranitidine) remaining on store shelves can still be sold, CBS News reported. The move stems from an announcement made last Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In a statement, the agency said that a substance that could cause cancer had been found in some ranitidine heartburn and ulcer medicines, including the brand name drug Zantac, and the source of this contamination is being investigated. Sanofi, the maker of Zantac, said in a statement on Wednesday that “there are currently no plans to stop distributing or manufacturing Zantac or other ranitidine products outside of Canada,” and added that “we are conducting our own robust investigations to ensure we continue to meet the highest quality safety and quality standards.” While preliminary tests found low levels of the nitrosamine impurity N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in some ranitidine products, the FDA said last week that this does not mean patients taking the drugs should now stop using them. NDMA is the same contaminant found in many brands of blood pressure and heart failure medications during the past year,…  read on >

When it comes to convincing your kids that vegetables taste good, variety might be the key to success. New research suggests that offering children more than one type of vegetable may improve the chances that they’ll eat a greater amount. The study included 32 families with children aged 4 to 6 who didn’t eat many vegetables. The children were divided into three groups: no change in eating habits, being given one type of vegetable (broccoli), or being given multiple vegetables (broccoli, zucchini and peas). Parents were given instructions on portion size and cooking instructions, along with tips on how to offer the vegetables to the children, who were served a small piece of vegetable three times a week for five weeks. A sticker was given as a reward to children trying a new vegetable. Vegetable consumption increased from 0.6 to 1.2 servings among children who were offered multiple vegetables, but no changes in consumption occurred among children who received a single vegetable or those whose eating habits weren’t changed. The increased acceptance for multiple vegetables during the five weeks of the study was still evident three months later, according to the findings published in the September issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. “While the amount of vegetables eaten increased during the study, the amount did not meet dietary guidelines. Nonetheless, the study…  read on >

Most pregnant women are told it’s safe to have one cup of coffee a day because it won’t trigger miscarriages or preterm deliveries, but new research suggests a surprising risk: Moms-to-be who consume caffeine, even in small amounts, may have shorter kids. “The main takeaway is that even low exposure to caffeine during pregnancy was associated with shorter height in childhood,” said study lead author Jessica Gleason, a research fellow at the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women limit their caffeine consumption to less than 200 milligrams (mg) per day. That is the equivalent of about two 6-ounce cups of coffee. Exactly how, or even if, caffeine affects stature isn’t fully understood yet, but the researchers have some theories. “Maternal caffeine metabolism slows down during pregnancy, caffeine and its metabolites … cross the placenta, and the fetus cannot metabolize or break down caffeine or its metabolites,” Gleason explained. “As pregnancy progresses, this means that the fetus can be exposed to accumulating caffeine.” In animal studies, this led to a change in normal growth patterns. What’s more, too much caffeine can also lead to increased insulin sensitivity in the fetus, which can potentially have lasting consequences for normal growth, Gleason added. It’s not just coffee either, she said. “Our study accounts…  read on >  read on >

When a child gets sick, doctors are increasingly relying on what’s known as “off-label” use of medications, a new study says. Off-label use of a drug means that it hasn’t been specifically studied and approved for the condition, age group or weight of the person getting the prescription. For example, kids with asthma may be prescribed antihistamines (approved for allergies, but not specifically for asthma), because they may have allergies that trigger their wheezing, the researchers noted. The study found that doctors prescribed one or more off-label drugs for children in almost 1 out of every 5 office visits. “Off-label doesn’t mean a drug is harmful. There’s often good evidence behind the use of off-label drugs,” said study senior author Dr. Daniel Horton. He’s an assistant professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, N.J. “But sometimes there isn’t good evidence, so it’s important for parents to discuss with the child’s doctor what is known and not known about off-label drugs, so they can try to ensure that the benefits of a drug outweigh the risks,” Horton said. Doctors often turn to off-label drug use because no alternative exists, the authors said. “Historically, children have been excluded from clinical trials of medications. This left a large gap in knowledge. Over time, legislation and policies to require more…  read on >

It’s a pricy mainstay on restaurant menus, but avocado toast is an easy and healthy breakfast or lunch that you can make at home. Avocados are full of healthy fats and vitamins C, E and B6. They’re fiber all-stars, too, with 10 grams per cup. Best known as the base for guacamole, because of its creaminess, avocado is now being turned into desserts like puddings and ice cream. Put mashed avocado, a great mayo substitute, on toast and it makes a meal. Avocados are rarely ripe when you buy them, so plan accordingly, allowing for two days of ripening on your windowsill. They should be just soft to the touch, but not mushy. Dark-skinned Hass avocados have a silky, rich taste, and you can get them virtually year-round. Avocado toast couldn’t be simpler to prepare and, despite its pricy cost at restaurants, it’s inexpensive when you make it yourself. Avocado Toast 1 ripe Hass avocado 1/2 lemon 1/4 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional) 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 slices whole grain bread 1 large tomato, sliced 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 basil leaves, torn Cut the avocado open, remove the pit and scoop the flesh into a medium bowl. Squeeze on the juice from the lemon and add the chili flakes and salt. Mash with a fork until smooth. Toast the bread and spread…  read on >

Move over button mushrooms. Exotic varieties are becoming more and more popular, and are available at farmers markets and even local grocery stores. In ancient healing traditions, mushrooms have always been one of the top medicinal foods, and now science is discovering why. Mushrooms contain potent antibacterial and antifungal compounds that are being studied for their benefits for liver, brain, heart and much more. Dried mushrooms contain many of the same anti-inflammatory compounds as fresh, but the fresh ones typically contain them in greater abundance and they often taste better. Two delicious exotics to try are oyster mushrooms and Maitake mushrooms, also called Hen of the Woods. The Maitake in particular is a very dense mushroom, so it’s great for grilling or searing like a steak. To prep either mushroom, start by trimming off the tough bottom. Then use a damp paper towel to brush off any dirt. Don’t submerge them since they soak up water like a sponge and then won’t cook properly. Here’s a recipe that brings out the mushrooms’ flavor and creates a rich sauce. Creamy Mushroom Pasta 12 ounces of whole grain pasta 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound Maitake and/or oyster mushrooms, trimmed and sliced 4 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1/4 cup…  read on >

U.S. health officials have revised downward the number of cases of a severe lung injury linked to vaping, from more than 450 cases cited last week to the total of 380 cases announced late Thursday. The decrease is due to the exclusion of “possible” cases, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained. The new case total — which includes cases either confirmed or “probable” — have occurred across 36 states and the Virgin Islands, the CDC said in a statement. Some cases have proven fatal. “Six total deaths have been confirmed in six states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, and Oregon,” the CDC noted. The reason behind these illnesses and deaths remains uncertain, but a leading culprit at this point is an oily chemical called vitamin E acetate, according to the CDC. The oil is derived from vitamin E, which is found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, and leafy green veggies. Vitamin E acetate is available as a dietary supplement and skin treatment. When vaped and inhaled, this oil can harm lung cells, experts say. Illnesses and investigations “The focus of our investigation is narrowing and that’s great news, but we’re still faced with complex questions in this outbreak that will take time to answer,” Ileana Arias, acting deputy director of non-infectious diseases at the CDC, said during a Sept. 6 media…  read on >