Grab Bag Statin Staver:
If you’re interested in doing all you can to avoid cholesterol medications, try these four strategies, suggested by Consumer Reports Health:
Plant stanols and sterols. Nuts, seeds, and whole grains are naturally high in those substances, which inhibit cholesterol absorption from food. Manufacturers now add stanols or sterols to other foods, including Benecol and Take Control margarines, and Minute Maid Premium Heart Wise orange juice. Having two daily servings of the spreads or juice could reduce LDL by 5 to 17 percent.
Soy protein. Getting 25 grams a day of this protein—the amount in two to three servings of foods such as soy milk, soy nuts, and tofu—might lower LDL by up to 10 percent.
Fiber. Any fiber-rich food—whole grains, beans, and produce— slightly lowers LDL cholesterol, possibly by absorbing saturated fat in the gut. But oat bran, psyllium, and possibly barley might be particularly effective, cutting LDL by 5 to 10 percent.
Combo approach. You’re more likely to get substantial benefits from the foods listed above if you combine them. Toronto researchers have found that a diet high in soy protein, fiber, and plant sterols reduces LDL and CRP levels as much as a low-dose statin.
Grab Bag Sticky Situation 2:
After last week’s post on non-stick cooking and the hazards thereof, a few smart readers wrote in praise of Scanpan. Reader Susi G. has been using the “top of the line” Scanpan for a few years, and is really pleased with them. A patented ceramic-titanium coating yields a healthier interface for your frittata, fried eggs and flautas. Susi also puts in a rec. for buying them from Sur la Table (disclosure… she works there), as they will replace the pans for any failure, for LIFE (mine or the pan’s?? 😆). Sounds like a good deal 🙂
Grab Bag Goes Shopping:
Some fun stuff from a favorite shopping site, UncommonGoods.com:
Grab Bag Cute Pup:
Jack Russell Jesse does housework:
Thanks to Jeannie P. for sending this my way.
Grab Bag Brain Game:
An old favorite, Boggle can get addictive… took me about an hour, but I made the Top 8 of the moment (play late at night and the competition is likely to be asleep!)
Grab Bag Funny Stuff:
Graphing our realities….
LK's Grab Bag 
Uncommon Goods shopping site… very fun, great gift ideas!
I’m doing something wrong in the Boggle Game… it wouldn’t accept good words, the game said they weren’t there??
xo JP
Haven’t run in to that Boggle problem, but I’m not sure what dictionary they are using. I will play some more and see if I find the same issue 🙂