Craig Harkins asked:

Fencing is one of the oldest sports and one of 4 to be included in every modern Olympic Games. It is a great activity to be involved in since fencing is a great way to get and stay fit. Fencing involves lots of movement. It is a sport which requires the players, in this case the fencers, to be constantly on the move. Fencing requires footwork (movement around the fencing piste). A fencer is constantly in motion.

More and more parents are trying to encourage their children to get involved in fencing. Because fencing is a good sport with aerobic and anaerobic components, getting children involved early on in life will help them to realize the importance of physical activity.

Many children exercise by getting up off the couch, going to the kitchen and back to the couch to spend the afternoon watching television or playing video games. This is definitely not a good practice for a healthy heart. Children who develop poor physical practices early in life will likely carry these practices with them through life.

Fencing is good for your health since it provides loads of physical activity plus it requires the individual to stay in shape. The sport of fencing would be much more difficult for the person who isn’t in shape. In preparation for fencing a person needs to practice stretching and strengthening exercises.

Staying physically active and in shape promotes healthy living and a longer life. Anything which will provide healthy benefits is good for your heart. Eating healthy is a big factor for good heart health and is also a good practice to get the family into. Since fencing is a good sport for your heart, perhaps it might be one physical activity which the whole family could get involved in.

Fencing could be that one sport and area of interest the whole family has in common. Fencing with friends and family would surely make the activity more enjoyable. Developing heart healthy living is extremely important but is also easy to avoid in our society of fast food and so many other things to take our minds off of it. Fencing is good for your heart and it is a good sport to teach young children the importance of physical activity, hoping it will promote healthy practices that will help them for their long life.

Michael Greeves asked:


Food allergies put a big hindrance on life in general because, depending on your allergic reaction, eating the wrong food can be deadly. With all of the preservatives and flavorings in foods now, it can be hard to identify what you may be allergic to because it will not be clearly outlined on the packaging. Baking also becomes a challenge, because if you have a corn allergy and need something in a recipe for thickening, alternates can be difficult to discern. Following are some safe foods and baking substitutions for the most common food allergies and alternate diets.

Gluten-Free (Wheat Allergy)

- For baking (leavening), use whipped egg whites or agar-agar.

- Instead of flour derived from wheat, use flour derived from corn or rice.

- Soy products are safe for consumption.

- Most milk and dairy products are safe, except for sour creams, chocolate milk, non-dairy creamers, and yogurt.

Soy Allergy

- Dairy products are safe for consumption.

- Meat can sometimes contain soy as an extender, so as long as soy is not used, most meats are safe.

- Most canned soups and frozen entrees contain soy, so homemade soups and entrees work best.

- There are several condiments that can prove to be troublesome, like Worcestershire sauce, malt vinegar, and soy sauce. This will give you the opportunity to experiment with other condiments and seasonings to achieve the flavor you desire.

Milk Allergy (NOT the same as lactose intolerance)

- Soy or rice based frozen desserts are a good alternate for ice cream.

- Use milk substitutes for baking.

- Dairy-free margarine can also be used in recipes requiring butter or margarine.

- Avoid foods with batter on them when eating out because the batter usually contains some milk products.

- Make sure you are eating a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables to supply calcium and other nutrients.

Corn Allergy

- Corn syrup is a big ingredient to steer clear of, and unfortunately, it is used in many things as a sweetener.

- All foods and beverages that are not sweetened with corn syrup are safe for consumption.

- In recipes that require a sweetener, fruit juices, honey, and maple syrup provide equal alternates.

- For baking, instead of using corn starch, use rice, potato, or wheat starch instead.

Vegetarian Diet (Ovo-Lacto)

- An ovo-lacto vegetarian will eat milk and egg products.

- For this diet, meatless products can help provide nutrients such as iron and protein.

- Tofu is a good supply of many nutrients.

- Eggs and dairy products will provide B-12 as well as more protein.

- Dark green vegetables will supply calcium for non-ovo-lacto vegetarians.

- Whole grains will also provide iron.

Vegan Diet

- A vegan does not eat and animal products, so this diet excludes meat as well as dairy products.

- Oatmeal, cereal, toast, and fruit juices are good foods for this diet; they will provide a wealth of nutrients for the body.

- Tofu lasagna is a good alternate to lasagna with meat in it.

- Soy ice cream is a good option over milk-based ice cream.

- Rice pudding and banana muffins contain no animal products and are good variations from other foods.

Eating nutritiously with food allergies can be challenging, but definitely not impossible. With the organic and healthier lifestyles becoming more popular, grocery stores will likely carry an alternative food to the one you are allergic to or choose not to eat. For people with more serious food allergies, your doctor will be able to provide you with more complete guidelines on living safely with your allergy.