Delicious Chocolate Pudding Dessert

Here is a recipe for chocolate pudding.  If you replace whole milk with skim milk fat will be reduced.  Use egg whites to reduce cholesterol and use lower-fat cocoa powder to replace chocolate. 

It only takes 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.

Serves 4
2        egg whites
1/3     cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2        tablespoons cornstarch
2 1/4  cups skim milk, divided
1/2     cup granulated sugar
1/8     teaspoon salt
1        teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh strawberries, mint leaves, and unsweetened cocoa powder for garnish.

1-In a small bowl, lightly beat egg whites and set aside.  In a large bowl, combine 2/3 cup of cocoa and cornstarch.  Whisk 3/4 cup of milk into cocoa mixture until completely smooth.

2-In a large heavy saucepan, combine remaining milk, sugar, and salt.  Mix well.  Bring to a boil over high heat, whisking constantly.  Remove pan from heat.

3-Whisk cocoa mixture into hot milk mixture.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; boil for 2 minutes, whisking constantly.  Remove pan from heat.

4-Gradually whisk 1 cup of hot cocoa mixture into the egg whites.  Pour mixtureback into pan.  Cook over medium-low heat for 2 minutes, whisking constantly.  Do not boil.  Remove pan from heat.

5-Add vanilla; blend well.  Pour pudding into serving dishes.  Cool to room temperature.  Cover and chill for 1 hour.  Garnish with berries, mint leaves, and cocoa.

Per serving:  Calories 210 (11% from fat)--Carbs 43g--Protein 9g--Sodium 100mg--Fat 3g--Cholesterol 3mg

If you want to prevent a skin on top of the pudding place a wax paper directly on pudding surface.
Enjoy Your Pudding!!!!    

Calcium Supplements

Calcium is needed to keep bones healthy.  It also keeps your blood pressure and heart beat controlled. The stored calcium is withdrawn as the body needs it.  If not enough calcium is stored, it will begin to use the one in the bones.  That will cause the bones to become brittle and break.

The best way to consume calcium is by eating calcium filled foods.  If you do not get enough calcium from the foods you eat, you should talk to your doctor about taking a calcium supplement. 

The following chart can tell you how much calcium ou need on a daily basis.
    1 to 3 yrs of age          500mg
    4 to 8                          800mg
    9 to 18                      1,300mg
   19 to 50                     1,000mg
   51 and over                1,200mg
If you consume high levels of calcium on a regular basis it may be harmful.  Stay with the recommended level and do not go over 2500 mg per day because it may cause kidney problems.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) have symptoms that begin in childhood and continue to adulthood.  Usually, the symptoms cause problems at home, work, school and in relationships.

Doing homework can be a real challenge when a child has ADHD.  If you find some kind of structure for doing homework, it should make it easier for the child to concentrate.

Experts know that people with ADHD have different genes that control the level of some chemicals in the brain.  Not all have a genetic link, but still this condition has been diagnosed in people whose mothers smoked or drank alcohol while pregnant.  Also in those whose mothers had difficult pregnancies. 

 There are three symptoms for ADHD:  inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity.  For inattention some or all of the following can be present

• difficulty paying attention to details and tendency to make careless mistakes in school or other activities; producing work that is often messy and careless 
• easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli and frequently interrupting ongoing tasks to attend to trivial noises or events that are usually ignored by others 
• inability to sustain attention on tasks or activities
• difficulty finishing schoolwork or paperwork or performing tasks that require concentration 
• frequent shifts from one uncompleted activity to another 
• procrastination
• disorganized work habits 
• forgetfulness in daily activities (for example, missing appointments, forgetting to bring lunch)
• failure to complete tasks such as homework or chores 
• frequent shifts in conversation, not listening to others, not keeping one's mind on conversations, and not following details or rules of activities in social situations 

For hyperactivity  it is often seen by age seven.  It is a bit different depending on the age level.

• fidgeting, squirming when seated
• getting up frequently to walk or run around
• running or climbing excessively when it's inappropriate (in teens this may appear as restlessness)
• having difficulty playing quietly or engaging in quiet leisure activities 
• being always on the go 
• often talking excessively 

 Impulsivity symptoms include the following:

• impatience
• difficulty delaying responses
• blurting out answers before questions have been completed
• difficulty awaiting one's turn
• frequently interrupting or intruding on others to the point of causing problems in social or work settings
• initiating conversations at inappropriate times

ADHD is diagnosed when the above symptoms occur in two different places like school and home and for at least 6 months.  There are however, some warning signs for ADHD.

• not listening to instructions
• being unable to get organized, either at home or at school
• fidgeting, especially with the hands and feet
• talking too much
• failing to finish projects, including chores and homework
• not paying attention to and responding to details
• getting poor grades in school
• being isolated from peers due to poor grades and secondary depression

If you think that someone you know have some or all of the aabove symptoms, consult  a Doctor to start the best treatment to help your loved one.

Chronic Depression

Chronic Depression is a less severe form of depression also called Dysthymia.  The symptoms can linger on for longer periods of time like 2 years or over.  People who have this type of depression can function fine only they seem always unhappy.  Here are the symptoms of this kind of depression:

• Persistent sad or empty feeling
• Difficulty sleeping (sleeping too much or too little)
• Insomnia (early morning awakening)
• Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness
• Feelings of guilt
• Loss of interest or the ability to enjoy oneself
• Loss of energy or fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating, thinking or making decisions
• Changes in appetite (overeating or loss of appetite)
• Observable mental and physical sluggishness
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Dysthymia is most common in women, but it could start in childhood or adulthood. The Doctor will usually make his diagnosis by the symptoms that the patient describes.  As long as the symptoms have lasted 2 years or more and they are not as severe as Major Depression, then the treatment can begin. 

First, the Doctor will have to be sure that the symptoms are not due to substance abuse or a medical condition.  Also, the depression and other symptoms should be causing distress in your life in order to confirm this type of depression.  There is no blood, x-ray or other lab test to diagnose this depression.


Dysthymia is very serious, but it can be treated.  As with anything health issue, if treated early that can increase the chances of it not being prolonged and get complicated.  Doctors may use counseling, medications or a combination of both to treat chronic depression. 

Major (Clinical) Depression

epression, let's talk about depression. If someone is feeling depressed and is not treated it could lead to suicide. If you are feeling depressed make sure to talk to someone you trust as soon as possible. Get help and start treating your depression.


One type of depression is called major or clinical depression. Symptoms are:

• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings or worthlessness or guilt
• Impaired concentration, indecisiveness
• Insomnia or hypersomnia (too much sleep)
• Diminished interest or pleasure
• Restlessness or being slowed down
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
• Significant weight loss or gain of more than 5% body fat in one month

These symptoms might make it hard to work, study, sleep,eat and enjoy friends and activities. You can have this kind of depression once in your lifetime or several times in your lifetime.

Major depression affect adults, teens, children and the elderly alike. It may go unnoticed and untreated in children and the elderly. It is also said that about twice as many women than men get major depression because of puberty, menstration, pregnancy, miscarriage and menopause. Other factors may include, increased responsibilities at home or at work, juggling kids, careers, commitments, caring for an elderly parent and raising a child alone.

Men can also get major depression, but it is significantly underreported.  Men are less likely to seek help or even talk about it.  Signs of major depression in men may include:  irritability, anger, or drug and alcohol abuse. By not admitting, it can result in violent behavior both inwards and outwards.  Also, can result in an increase of illness, suicide and homicide.