Swipe Right For Unconditional Love: App Pairs You With Adoptable Pets

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Aug 10, 2015

Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew that whoever you “swiped right” for would love you back, unconditionally?

With the new AllPaws app, that nicety is a reality.

The app, available for iPhone and iPad, helps prospective pet owners filter through adoptable pups and kittens in shelters across the U.S. and Canada to help find their perfect match. For those who don’t use Apple, the main website serves the same purpose.

Darrell Lerner, the app’s founder, describes it as “Very Tinder-like in its interface,” allowing people to swipe easily and quickly through photos and profile details and to easily share the profile on Facebook. They can also contact the shelter directly to inquire about a possible match.

The idea to create AllPaws came after Lerner and his brother founded the development firm Snap Interactive, the parent company of human dating app AreYouInterested. A coworker was trying to find an adoptable dog of her own.

“I said, ‘We can rebuild the same product we’ve spent two years working on–and build a much better version,’” Lerner said.

A Whopping 5,200 Shelter Pets Were Adopted in One Weekend Event

Adopt-A-Pet and PetFinder are currently the most popular national online search engines, but AllPaws, says Lerner, uses a more modern perspective by utilizing more visible profile characteristics, and a deeper social integration.

They also take a more mobile direction—half of their traffic comes from iPhones and iPads.

While it’s difficult to track adoption rates because they happen “offline,” Lerner can verify that thousands of matches have already been made since the app’s hard launch last October.

The website has topped 500,000 visits per month, 335,000 registered users and displays 204,957 available pets.

“We’ve heard from a number of shelters and rescues that we drive a lot of adoptions to them. They love that we offer a custom Facebook tab which they can run for free to display adoptable pets. So far 500 shelters have installed it.”

Photos: All Paws Facebook

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National S’mores Day: Animal Activists Now Have Vegan Marshmallows

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Good News Network

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Aug 10, 2015

Vegans now have a gelatin-free marshmallow to celebrate with on National S’mores Day.

Besides being vegan, Dandies are the first non-GMO verified marshmallows on the market, and are produced in a facility free of dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree-nuts, and, of course, gelatin.

They are also free of artificial ingredients, high fructose corn syrup, and grains.

Plus, Dandies Vegan Marshmallows come in packaging so retro and cute you just have to squeeze it.

The manufacturer, Chicago Vegan Foods, has put together some “next level” S’mores recipes as well.

“We’re making products smarter and more humanely,” said Chicago Vegan Foods founder Dan Ziegler, who hopes the company will become a new avenue for people to understand and support animal rights.

If you’re not near a Whole Foods, you might have trouble finding these marshmallows, which are fluffier than traditional ones. But with that sweet little bow-tie wearing dude on the package—you might want to just order online.

Oh, and if you’re craving pumpkin-everything for fall, they’ve got you covered with a new variety—keep your eyes peeled for them this October.

CHECK Out More Inspiring Food Stories Here

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Astronaut Reveals His 1969 Customs Form: Places Visited – “Moon”

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Terry Turner

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Aug 9, 2015

46 years after men first walked on the moon, we are reminded that while rocket fuel powered the Apollo 11 spacecraft, governments still run on paperwork.

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, still has the US Customs form from his return trip back to Earth and recently shared it on Twitter.

You have to smile at how “Moon” was dropped into his “Places visited on route” as if it were no big deal. “Moon rocks and moon dust” were also listed as items to declare.

Aldrin also turned in a travel voucher for $33.31 when he returned to earth. Most of his expenses were for car trips to and from airports and driving around the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Posted by Buzz Aldrin on Thursday, July 30, 2015

At the bottom of the Customs form it asks traveler to list “Any other condition on board which may lead to the spread of disease,” which the astronauts ominously answered: “To be determined.”

(READ more at the Financial Express) – Photo from Buzz Aldrin via Twitter

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Frances Kelsey: Hero Who Saved a Nation From Thalidomide (1914-2015)

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Good News Network

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Aug 9, 2015

Tributes are hailing Frances Kelsey as a hero after her death at the age of 101 on Friday.

The Canadian pharmacologist fought tenaciously in the 1960s as a medical officer for the Food and Drug Administration to keep the crippling drug thalidomide out of the U.S. market.

The drug was being used in Europe and other countries to treat morning sickness and insomnia in pregnant women, but hundreds of children were being born with horrible birth defects as a result.

Kelsey was the second woman to be awarded the President’s Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service by President John F. Kennedy.

(READ the obituary in the Washington Post) – Photo from FDA

Comfortable High Heels For Women Designed by Orthopedic Nurse

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Good News Network

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Aug 9, 2015

Uncomfortable high heels in your closet may soon get the boot, once you’ve seen the innovative shoes by an orthopedic nurse turned Italian shoe designer.

The defining step came for Julie Lopez at her daughter’s wedding when her feet, which have bunions, hurt so much she ended up going barefoot during the reception.

Hand crafted in Italy, her Julie Lopez Shoes are wider in the fore-foot but still look great. She added padding, got rid of interior seams that press on toes, and added tiny slits in the sides that offer a bit of expansion that she calls Flex Innovation Technology.

Jewelry Made From Dried Fruit is Gorgeous and Fair Trade

“In the process of creating a heel that looks and feels great on the feet of women with bunions, we inadvertently got a comfortable, fashionable heel for all women!” said Julie’s daughter Erin, on the company blog.

Their product lines are sold online only, to keep retail markups from driving the cost well over the $250-$300 they wanted to charge for the hand-made Italian shoes.

(WATCH the video below from NBC News) Story tip from Carilyn

Carbon Pollution From U.S. Power Plants Hits 27-Year Low

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Good News Network

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Aug 9, 2015

Electric power plants in the US spewed 128 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in April 2015, the lowest for any month since April 1988, according a government report.

The US Energy Information Administration said renewable energy generation increased by 2% in the first quarter, over the same period in 2014.

Comparing the 27-year period between April 1988 and April 2015, natural gas consumption more than tripled and renewable energy consumption more than doubled, while coal consumption decreased 17%.

(READ the AP report via MSNBC) Photo by Why 137, CC license – Story tip from Carilyn

Denver Police Rewarding Law-abiding Citizens with Free Pizza

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Good News Network

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Aug 9, 2015

Who doesn’t appreciate a pat on the back, now and then? In that spirit, the Denver Police Department launched an initiative aimed at acknowledging people and rewarding them with pizza gift cards for their courteous actions, for helping others and for obeying the law.

On July 29, patrol officers downtown began giving out 500 vouchers that say, “You Got Caught Doing Something Right.”

The cards were given out to people who were using trash bins rather than littering, obeying walk signals at traffic lights and walking their bikes in busy pedestrian malls.

(WATCH the video below from the Denver PD, or READ more at Fox News) –Story tip from Peggy

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From Chemo Chair Man Raises $74K Tweeting for Stem Cell Charity

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Sheila Key

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Aug 8, 2015

John Underwood knew he might someday need a bone-marrow transplant.

Diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma, Underwood said that his best shot at an eventual recovery will “probably” rest with an organization whose mission is to recruit people willing to donate some of their stem cells.

So, as he sat down for his first chemotherapy treatment last month, he decided to do a little fundraising for the UK charity, Anthony Nolan. While still connected to the IV drip, Underwood constructed a JustGiving page, setting a modest goal of £1,000 and tweeting the link to his 1,934 followers.

Stem cells are the most omnipotent of human cells and literally the lifeblood for such patients. But, as amazing as stem cells are, they are like other human tissue when it comes to transplantation: there needs to be a good match between donor and patient. The bigger the donor pool, the better your chances of finding a match.

Michael J. Fox Climbs North Dakota Mountain to Fund Parkinson’s Research

Within an hour he had reached his goal and by the day’s end he was declaring himself “pretty solidly chuffed” that donations had swelled past £16,400 with donations from over 650 people.

“And every person who has chipped in… is properly saving lives. 166 new funded donors, right there,” Underwood tweeted, citing an estimate from Anthony Nolan that it spends about £100 for each stem-cell donor it recruits.

Underwood’s JustGiving total has now passed £48,000 because of the generosity of more than two thousand strangers and friends.

Photo: John Underwood on Twitter

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Record Number of Tourists Flocking to Greece Provide Needed Cash

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Good News Network

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Aug 8, 2015

Despite the economic crisis in Greece that brought it to the brink of leaving the Euro–or perhaps because of it, in a show of support–millions of tourists are flocking to Athens providing a needed boost for local businesses.

Aegean Airlines, Greece’s largest airline, told Reuters that passenger traffic was up 19 percent in July compared with the same month last year.

The country’s economy ministry estimates that arrivals this year could total around 25 million, about four million more than last year.

(READ the full report from Reuters)

Victoria Police Officer Buys Plane Ticket to Reunite Senior with Family

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Good News Network

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Aug 8, 2015

A British Columbia police officer bought a plane ticket with his credit card for a disoriented senior so that she could be reunited with her family.

Andre Almeida helped the woman, who was displaying dementia-like symptoms, after she disembarked from a cruise ship in Victoria and never returned.

Victoria police officers took her to the airport after talking with her family in New York, and when her credit card did not work Almeida wanted to help.

CHECK Out More Inspiring Stories About Police Officers

“It could be my mom stranded somewhere,” he told CBC News.

(READ the full story from CBC) Photo via Twitter – Story tip from Julia Frerichs

Beyond Ugly Protests, Germans Open Hearts and Homes for Refugees

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Good News Network

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Aug 8, 2015

Anti-refugee protests and arson attacks dominate German headlines, but countless unsung volunteers have been collecting clothing and household goods donated by Germans to distribute to some of the tens of thousands of asylum-seekers fleeing war.

Community leader Wolfgang Esser also organizes youth soccer for the children of newcomers, saying, “Sport is the best vehicle for integration.”

He told Reuters that some volunteers are teaching refugees German while others are helping them deal with the maze of German bureaucracy.

Saudi Prince to Give 10,000 Cars and Houses to Needy Families

150 civil servants have even come out of retirement to help refugees get settled and protected.

Germany has a tradition of welcoming refugees, in part, to atone for the horrors of its Nazi past. 450,000 refugees have been welcomed into the country this year alone.

(READ the full report at Reuters) Photo of Syrian Refugees by IHH Humanitarian Relief, CC

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Jon Stewart Says Goodbye to The Daily Show With A Little Help From Friends

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Good News Network

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Aug 7, 2015

After 16 years at the helm of Comedy Central’s fake news program, The Daily Show, comedian Jon Stewart signed off yesterday during a special one-hour goodbye show.

He was joined by ”senior correspondents” who had helped propel the show to number one among 18-35 year old viewers looking for satirical laughs in the midst of current events of the day. Many of these comedy correspondents have gone on to star in blockbuster movies after getting their start on the Daily Show, including Steve Carell, Josh Gad, Ed Helms (The Office, and, Hangover) and Stephan Colbert, who surprised Jon with an off-script moment (see below).

”You were infuriating good at your job,” said Colbert, who is taking over for the retiring David Letterman this year.

Jon Stewart Buys a Farm to Help Animal Victims of Cruelty

Jon’s comedy targets over the years ranged from Democrats to Republicans, CNN to Fox News, bankers to billionaires. And many of his targets, like Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Lindsey Graham and John Kerry, appeared in short clips to bid him a fond–and not so fond–farewell. The executives at Arbys fast food restaurant, which was mercilessly mocked for selling bad food, even bought commercial airtime during the show to say, “We don’t know why, but we’ll miss you, Jon.”

Time magazine said Jon Stewart changed TV political comedy by “showing folks how BS works — in politics and in the media — empowering them to spot it themselves.”

Jon Stewart’sRally to Restore Sanity Ends With Hopeful ‘Moment of Sincerity’

After Stewart made his farewell remarks at the end of the show, the New Jersey native introduced heroic blue-collar rocker Bruce Springsteen to play him off, saying, “Here it is, my moment of Zen”

In late September, The Daily Show continues with a new host, South African comedian Trevor Noah.

(WATCH some of our favorite moments from the show below)

Posing With Your Family On The Beach? Try It With Yoga

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Ethel Baumberg

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Aug 7, 2015

With summertime in full swing, many families are hitting the beach. Instead of sitting on the beach chair all day, though, why not grab your kids and move around?

Exercising on sand is, according to one study, more effective and even better for your body than a firm surface.

So, in honor of sunny days and warm temperatures, take your fitness outdoors and feel the right kind of burn—plus, you can cool off in the water after. Below are some yoga poses that are fun and will flex your muscles.

Chihuahua Performs Yoga Poses Exactly In Sync With Owner

Airplane Pose:

Lift your leg at a 45 degree angle and point and flex your toe like a propeller (to make it more challenging, rotate your foot in a circle mimicking the propeller). While working on balance, lean side to side with your arms out like the wings of plane flying over the ocean.

Palm Trees:

When we think about the beach and ocean, our minds often drift to a vacation spot- our favorite vacation spot is Hawaii where palm trees grow. Pretend to be a palm tree by standing on one foot, bringing your right foot alongside your left calf. Bring your hands to your side and hold for five deep breaths. To make this pose more challenging, bring your arms out in a Y shape over your head. To make it even more difficult, close your eyes!

Crab:

Slowly bend your knees and put your hands behind you on the floor making a table. As your feet and hands push your body up, use your imagination and crawl around the beach pretending you’re a crab. To make this more challenging, lift one leg at a time towards the sky.

Sandcastle:

With your legs shoulder with apart, slowly bend down until your hands reach the floor. Try to keep your knees straight as you bend. Once you reach the floor, walk with your hands out in front of you.

Seagull:

Bend your leg and lift in front of you at a 90 degree angle. Flutter your arms up and down as you balance on one foot.

Sand Shark:

Hold a plank pose, tightening your core and rocking your body side to side. Lift one leg off the ground, pretending to swim along the shallow water with your fin. Switch legs to strengthen both sides of the body. To make the exercise more challenging, attempt to lift your arms up over your head, alternating between arms and legs.

Flying Turtle:

Start in a superhero pose with arms and legs lifted. By bringing our arms back so our fingertips are reaching for our toes, we’ve changed the pose to strengthen not only the core, but the shoulders and back. From here, kids are encouraged to tickle their toes, working on their flexibility. In order to effectively make this pose more powerful, we work our way back into plank pose, jumping our feet into our hands….

….and finally end with a Starfish Jump: jump up in the air with your arms and legs!

Ethel Baumberg is a fitness professional and co-founder of FLYAROO Fitness. She holds an MPH in health education and behavioral sciences and a BA in psychology with a concentration in childhood development.

(Photos by FLYAROO Fitness, and Dan Zen, CC)

Study Shows Drinking Coffee Could Cut Risk of Diabetes by Half

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Linda Hernandez

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Aug 7, 2015

Besides a jolt of caffeine to get you through your day, a long-term study shows that coffee may have additional ‘perks’…

Researchers say an inflammation-lowering effect of the beverage could be the reason coffee drinkers were 54 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes as non-coffee drinkers, as reported in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Between 2001-2002, more than 1,300 men and women in Athens, Greece, were selected to participate in the study. The random sampling included 816 ‘casual’ drinkers – consuming less than 1.5 daily cups of coffee, 385 ‘habitual’ drinkers – who drank more than 1.5 cups per day, and 239 non-coffee drinkers.

2 Cups of Coffee Can Beat Back Breast Cancer Recurrences

Participants had blood tests to evaluate protein levels – which are markers of inflammation, and antioxidant levels – which indicate the body’s ability to neutralize cell-damaging “free radicals”. Ten years later, 191 people had developed diabetes. The study showed those who reported higher coffee consumption had lower likelihoods of developing the disease, even after accounting for smoking, high blood pressure, and family history of diabetes.

According to researchers, levels of serum amyloid, an inflammatory marker in the blood, pointed to a connection between coffee and diabetes. Higher consumption of the beverage went along with lower amyloid levels.

Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos, Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Harokopio University in Athens, Greece, told Reuters, “Oxidative stress has been shown to accelerate the dysfunction of pancreatic b-cells and antioxidants intake has been shown to decrease diabetes risk, so the antioxidant components of coffee may be beneficial, but still more research is needed toward this direction.”

(READ more at Reuters) – Photo: rockindave1

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Stranger’s Facebook Post Spurs Kindness for Widowed Dad -WATCH

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Sheila Key

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Aug 7, 2015

Last week, a father was shocked by the kindness that rained down on him, courtesy of a fellow parent and the strangers she rallied on Facebook.

Marc Sable had just lost his wife, Belinda, 28, to ovarian cancer, and as an overnight custodian was wondering how he was possibly going to provide for their two young children by himself.

Holly Lafferty knew Sable from a group, Therapy for Me, where their children receive occupational therapy. She didn’t really know the man—only that, like her, he had a child with special needs. They crossed paths at the Eden Prairie, Minnesota, clinic, and that’s where she was last month when she heard the sad news.

“OK,” Lafferty thought, “We have to do something here.”

Sassy 5-yo Sets Up Ice Cream Shop So He Can Buy Medicine for Sick Kids

What she did was take to Facebook.

“Do you ever witness a moment that you can’t shake?” she wrote in a post titled “It takes a village…” Respectful of the young family’s privacy, she simply invited her friends to join her in doing “Something nice to brighten their day.”

By the time she got home, Lafferty already had donations piling on her doorstep….and they just kept coming. Eventually, the donated money, toys, food, and other goods were enough to fill an office inside the clinic.

“Wow, look at all this stuff, you guys!” Sable said to his children, when the door was opened to reveal the bounty.

(WATCH the video below from KARE-11 News)

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What Are These Seniors Doing At a Skate Park? (WATCH)

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Good News Network

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Aug 7, 2015

We all know seniors need to keep their minds and bodies active, but taking folks from an assisted living center to the local skateboard park seems a bit extreme.

It turns out Cody Kohlhagen knew what he was doing all along.

The Activities Director at Willowbrook Place headed out with his group of spunky seniors armed with lemonade and lawn chairs to partake in some inter-generational fun and schooling–with inspiration flowing back and forth– and wheels of all kinds.

The seniors in Littleton, Colorado handed out cool drinks, chatted and cheered while the youth showed off their stunts at Clement Park July 25.

These Playgrounds Designed for Seniors Help Keep Them Active, Sharp

“The skate park is unique because it evokes sensations like, vitality, youthfulness, resilience, and eagerness,” Cody told Good News Network. “Every resident was stimulated socially, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.”

Whether they roller skated or skateboarded themselves back in the day, the seniors really pick up on the kids’ energy.

With twenty plus kids on the grounds that day, there was always someone dropping in, popping out, or just cruising around; the constant activity never lost the attention of the residents who live two miles away.

“Its good to get them out here to watch the young people and to interact with them,” said one pint-sized boarder in the KMGH-TV video below.

CHECK Out More Inspiring Stories on Aging at GNN Here

A 96-year-old resident named John said he’s learned more about the sport in one day than he ever thought he would, and his friend Gary agreed that it was something totally different—and “awesome.”

“Most of my female residents were very nervous for the kids when they ‘bailed,’ but I assured them these kids fall down quite often,” Cody added.

Finding new things to do for the more than 50 residents at Willowbrook Place is a dream job for Cody. He reads to them regularly from Good News Network and says he has really found his calling and would gladly spend the rest of his life working there.

“I always say give the residents what they want, and also give them things they didn’t know they might enjoy–shake things up from time to time.”

Shake, rattle, and roll–at whatever age–on whatever wheels you’ve got.

(WATCH the video below) Photo: KMGH Video

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Grandparents Convert House Into “Safe School” for Bullied Students

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Terry Turner

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Aug 7, 2015

At least 20 kids have recovered from years of bullying thanks to a special “safe school” founded by a pair of grandparents in the U.K..

Three years ago, Fred and Vivian Morgan turned their 10-bedroom home into a private school called Northleigh House School in Hatton, Warwick, in order to give the kids a safe place to learn and heal.

Half of the children struggle with severe depression, and all of the kids that come to them are usually so troubled from their experiences with bullying that they are unable to function at their normal school.

One of the students, who gave wrong answers in class to keep bullies from picking on him, completed the Morgan school a “straight A” student.

“When they leave here, they’re like normal happy, laughing teenagers, and they’ve caught up on their work,” Vivian told the Telegraph.

The kids, aged 11 through 16, spend a year at the school learning English, math, science, and piano, all taught by a staff of 22 part-time employees.

There’s even an Italian therapist on staff, in case the kids want to flex their bi-lingual muscles.

The Morgans ask the kids to stay in touch in case they ever need help when they return home.

(READ more at the Telegraph) Photo: LoveShareCare.com, YouTube —Story Tip from Jan

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Beyond Carrot Sticks: Serve Great Party Foods That Don’t Pack on Pounds

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Good News Network

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Aug 6, 2015

When you’re watching what you eat, party can sound like a four letter word.

Have no fear: if you’re throwing the shindig yourself—or attending someone else’s— nibbles nutritionist Tanya Zuckerbrot gave us these suggestions to keep you on a nutritious, yet yummy, track.

OUT: Crab Cakes IN: Shrimp Cocktail

Classic crab cakes are often filled with fattening fillers and are fried, making them a less than healthy appetizer option. Just one fried crab cake will cost you 290 calories and 19g fat, and that’s before the creamy dipping sauce! Instead, reach for waistline friendly shrimp cocktail.

Five large shrimp with 2 tablespoons cocktail sauce is only 45 calories and 0g fat. Shrimp is a great source of lean protein, which will help fill you up before dinner is served.

OUT: Chicken Wings IN: Chicken Strips

An order of Buffalo wings can be over 1,700 calories. Chicken wings contain a minimal amount of meat, and are mostly skin and bones. Spicy foods, though, have the added benefit of spiking thermogenesis, the heat-producing effect that raises metabolism.

To get the hot flavor (and metabolism spike) without the over-the-top amount of calories and fat, replace wings with chicken breast strips. Crisp them in the oven, and coat in a sizzling buffalo sauce.

OUT: Italian Meatballs IN: Turkey Breast Meatballs

An average serving of four meatballs can have as much as 560 calories and 42g of fat. That’s because a traditional meatball consists of fat-filled beef, or a mixture with fatty pork.

To save on calories and fat, swap out traditional meats for fat-free ground turkey breast—a recipe of which can pack around 250 calories and 4g fat. That’s almost 90% less fat!

OUT: Spinach And Artichoke Dip With Cheese, Chips In: Spinach And Artichoke Dip With Yogurt, Veggies

A typical serving of spinach and artichoke dip contains up to 1,100 calories and 100 grams of fat, which is almost a day’s worth of calories. If you want to make your own, substitute fat-free Greek yogurt for the mayo and cheese. It will retain the creamy texture while slashing more than half the calories and saturated fat.

Additionally, spinach and artichoke is commonly served with bread or tortilla and pita chips. If the option is available, cut calories by skinny-dipping. Skip the chips and instead dip with veggies like carrots, celery, or red pepper strips. Because these vegetables have a high water content, they fill you up on minimal calories.

OUT: Mayo-Filled Deviled Eggs IN: Less Devilish Eggs

Low-carb and packed with flavor, savory deviled eggs are delicious, super-portable and they fill you up. However, with the addition of mayonnaise to the egg yolk, the calories and fat are nearly doubled.

Skip the mayo and add nonfat plain Greek yogurt, diced peppers, and a little paprika for a spicy, high-protein bite. Another option is swapping the mayo for mashed avocado, a healthy Omega-3 fat that will turn the eggs green–great for Christmas, Irish, or sports-themed events. Try swapping salsa to turn the eggs red.

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS RD, is a Registered Dietitian in private practice in Manhattan and founder of the F-Factor Diet.

Photos: Jo del Corro, Steven Depolo, Meal Makeover Moms, CC

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After Wedding, Instead of Fancy Meal Couple Serves 4000 Syrian Refugees

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Good News Network

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Aug 6, 2015

A young Turkish couple wanted to celebrate their wedding day by bringing happiness to some of the refugees who have fled Syria since the outbreak of the civil war four years ago.

Fethullah Üzümcüoğlu and Esra Polat, who married last week in a province near the Syrian border, pooled the money they got from friends and family and used it to host a party for thousands of strangers.

“I was shocked when Fethullah first told me about the idea but afterwards I was won over by it. It was such a wonderful experience. I’m happy that we had the opportunity to share our wedding meal with the people who are in real need,” Esra told i100.

SEE More Inspiring Weddings on Good News Network Here

The idea was first proposed by the groom’s father, Ali Üzümcüoğlu, who said he hopes others will follow their example and help feed their Syrian neighbors in need.

(WATCH the video below or READ more at Telegraph.UK) Photo: YouTube

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How a Divine Chocolate Company Gives Women Workers a Sweet Life in Ghana

By

Sheila Key

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Aug 6, 2015

Unwrap a bar of Divine Chocolate and you’ll find…not a golden ticket, but the story of one of the company’s owners.

Peel back one more —why not? Life is short!—and the stories inside may continue to surprise you. That’s because, as the only fair-trade chocolate maker owned by a farmers cooperative, Divine Chocolate has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of growers, many of them now-powerful women.

With profits shared by its family of cocoa producers, a cooperative of farmers in Ghana called Kuapa Kokoo, which means “good cocoa,” has turned out to be a great deal for cocoa growers and their children.

In a country where women are not always given the tools they need to succeed, Kuapa Kokoo has provided a delicious array of resources to empower women workers and their families.

For instance, Kuapa Kokoo has recently started a program to distribute 100 free bamboo bicycles to children of co-op member growers. Many of the children, between the ages of 9 and 16, normally have to walk over 4 miles to school.

To keep jobs in the local economy, Kuapa Bikes and Divine Chocolate worked with Ghana Bamboo Bikes, an enterprise that trains young people to make and fix bikes, using local bamboo to construct the frames. Free workshops, ensure the bikes’ owners have the skills to maintain and fix them after miles of enduring the rough terrain of Western Ghana. (Watch a video about Bamboo Bike project here)

“As a single mother, it was very difficult for me to cater to my children, it was difficult to have three meals a day,” Mary Appiah, Kuapa Kokoo treasurer and mother of seven, told Global Envision.

Kuapa Kokoo provides their workers with social services, worker protections, a credit union, even a weekly radio show that keeps growers in remote locations (many of whom are unable to read) up-to-date on issues of critical importance in the industry.

CHECK Out More Inspiring Stories About Women Leading the Way

Through Divine Chocolate’s Women’s Cocoa Farming Training program and the Kuapa Kokoo Women’s Fund, women learn everything from reading, writing and arithmetic to small business skills and new trades—things like soap-making, batik and vegetable gardening—to supplement their income.

Praising Ghana’s leading chocolate cooperative, and its 85,000 member growers, Ms. Appiah says, “They have empowered women in our communities to become leaders, which was not always encouraged in Ghana.”

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