Cranberries, the cousin of blueberries, have long been valued for their ability to help prevent and treat urinary tract infections. Recent studies show that this berry may also promote gastrointestinal and oral health, prevent the formation of kidney stones, lower LDL and raise HDL (good) cholesterol, aid in recovery from stroke, and even help prevent cancer. Cranberries are a good source of vitamin C, a very good source of dietary fiber, and a great source of manganese and vitamin K. Cranberries are also a source of polyphenol antioxidants, which are being researched for their possible benefits to the cardiovascular system and immune system. Fresh cranberries are at their peak during the holiday season between October and December. When in season choose fresh, plump cranberries, deep red in color, and quite firm to the touch. Firmness is a primary indicator of quality. The deeper red their color, the more highly concentrated are cranberries’ beneficial compounds. When the season is over or if you can’t find fresh cranberries but still want all the nutritional benefits, simply look for dried or frozen cranberries at your local grocery store. The recipe included is perfect as a holiday side dish or throw over brown rice to make a complete vegan meal. Trust me, these are not your mother’s Brussels sprouts.
Flue season is coming. With all the concern and worry surrounding the Swine Flu, we may be forgetting that we are also more susceptible to the common cold and other illnesses during the winter months. There are many natural ways you can help to boost your immune system with food choices and healthy regimens. Of course, as you have seen in many articles, the first course of action is to wash your hands regularly for at least 20-30 seconds. By adding the following foods and healthy behaviors to your regime, you can help your body build its resistance to germs and help yourself stay healthy this winter.
There is so much more to being healthy then simply what you eat. Sometimes, taking a moment to slow down and focus on “how” you eat can actually begin to make a difference in how you feel and possibly even in your weight. Healthy digestion begins in the mouth where the digestive enzymes in your saliva start to break down the food you are eating. When food is easier to digest, your body doesn’t have to work so hard on breaking down the food, and can focus instead on assimilating all those quality vitamins and nutrients you just ate. In order for this process to happen, you have to actually chew your food. Sounds simple right? Unfortunately in the fast paced, rush everywhere, do a million things at once kind of world we live in, most of us are lucky if we are able to scarf down a sandwich, while sending an email, talking on the phone, “tweating” and saving the world all at the same time. The experience of eating has changed and it’s time we stop swallowing our food whole and take back the joys of eating. Ladies and Gentleman let me reacquaint you with chewing and mindful eating.
Eating mindlessly can lead to overeating. When you are trying to accomplish a handful of things all at the same time, including eating, it takes your brain longer to connect with your stomach to register that it has eaten and just may be full. Chewing reduces digestive distress and improves assimilation, allowing our bodies to absorb maximum nutrition from each bite of food. It also allows you to actually taste your food, leaving you and your brain more satisfied, and not looking for that extra something right after a meal. When you slow down and take the time to enjoy the eating experience with all your senses, you just may find you eat less and in the long run, may weigh less as well. Here are tips to help you get started.
According to the folks over at Eat This Not That, there are certain nutrients you should try to eat every day for optimum health. In case you needed a few more reasons to cut back on overly processed and animal based foods, all of the nutrients just happen to be found in natural plant based sources. Not only will you be helping your body by following these guidelines, but by choosing to eat a diet rich in plant based foods, you’ll be lowing your carbon footprint and saving the environment at the same time. It doesn’t get much better then that. Here’s a list of my top 5 of the recommended plant based foods, along with the nutrients they provide for your body and easy ways to start incorporating them into your diet today.
B vitamins help to regulate the sex organs, which directly correlate with the amount of sex hormone that is released in the body. Vitamin B deficiencies can lead to lethargy and fatigue, which usually means more sleep and rest is needed, not sex. B’s also play a large role in brain function and cognition and may be useful in relieving minor depression and anxiety. Each specific B vitamin offers your body something different in regard to your overall health as well as your sex health. Vegan’s need to pay especially close attention to their B intake, especially B12, to ensure that their entire B vitamin needs is met. Also, as we age, this specific nutrient is not absorbed as well as it is when we are young. Those sexy elders need to keep an eye on their B levels as well if they want to keep the passion alive in the bedroom.
It is quite easy to meet all your B needs with a plant based diet, as long you are paying attention to what you are putting in your mouth. Ideally, you always want to get your vitamins directly from your food, but if you find yourself stranded in the desert, far from a grocery store, you can always supplement with a B complex. Since each B delivers different health and sex related fun to our bodies, here is a breakdown of each with specific sexy veggie food choices for that particular B.
In my article Vegetarian Sex Health- Sexy Veggie Food for Sexual Enhancement, I explained how simple it is to eat vegetarian or vegan and still get all the vitamins and minerals you need for a healthy sex life. I will be posting some “Sexy Veggie Recipes” that incorporate these sexy foods so you can get started cooking healthier, eating greener and getting your groove on tonight.
Through the ages, food and sex have been linked together, all the way back to Garden of Eden. Today, it seems so simple to fix sexual health issues with a little pill, but when we take a deeper look, your overall health and wellness can have a huge effect on your sex life. It’s important to go back in time, say goodbye to your pharmacist for the time being and reexamine the links between food and sex right there at your local grocery store.
Old school aphrodisiacs were often chosen as such due to their shape or resemblance to certain body parts, as well as for the chemical reactions that take place in the body when eaten. Today, research shows that certain aphrodisiac foods do contain vitamins and minerals that can help to enhance your overall sexual vitality. As a vegetarian or vegan, getting enough of these nutrients can ensure that your evenings will be filled with excitement and pleasure. There is a plethora of healthy, sexy and vegetarian food for you to choose from to get your groove on tonight.
It is very easy to misjudge portion sizes. We get super-sized portions while dining out and most of us do not take the time to measure out what a true serving size looks like when we cook at home. Portion control can be your key to permanent weight loss or weight control. Before your next meal check this list from WebMD of foods, serving sizes and visual clues. Check in with yourself and see how many servings you are actually eating in one sitting.
There has been a lot of talk lately about how many servings of fish is too much and which fish are the best to eat. With concerns like mercury poisoning, eating farm-raised fish or wild fish, genetic engineering and over fishing, it’s important to consider certain things when choosing your next fish dinner or sushi roll.
Doctors and health professionals in general recommend fish because of the high dose of Omega 3’s fatty acids a serving supplies you with. A 6-ounce serving of fish can provide a day’s worth of high quality protein for adults. Eating fish once a week should not cause any concern for most people. For those fish eaters who partake in multiple servings of fish a week, especially children and pregnant women, the main concern can become mercury poisoning. Eating too much mercury-ridden fish can cause certain health problems including impairment in memory and behavior, tingling in the hands, feet, and lips, as well as causing possible damage to the heart and immune system. Aside from the mercury concern, we now have a number of different fish species that are soon to become extinct due to over fishing, or are being caught using environmentally destructive methods. There are some very simple rules to follow to be certain you are not getting a side dish of mercury or hurting the environment with your fish entree.
Women experiencing menopause and peri-menopause often wonder if there is anything they can do alleviate their symptoms naturally. Hot flashes, headaches, mood swings, weight gain, fatigue, sleepless nights and decreased libido are some common symptoms that can be reduced by some simple diet and lifestyle changes. With all the debates on hormone replacement, isn’t it nice to know you have the power to change how you feel naturally.
Though you can find asparagus at your supermarket almost all year long, asparagus is actually in season from March until June. Asparagus, a member of the lily family, is quite difficult to grow, causing this tasty treat to be a bit on the pricey side. Asparagus has been used since early on not only as a vegetable to eat, but also for medicinal purposes. Asparagus contains asparagine, a special plant compound, which gives it a diuretic effect, aiding in kidney function. Asparagus varieties include green, white and purple. The white variety is typically milder then the green and the purple can have a subtle fruity flavor. One cup of chopped asparagus has around 30 calories, contains no fat or cholesterol, is low in sodium, and comes chock full of vital nutrients. Asparagus is an excellent source of folate and thiamin (important B vitamins) and is also a good source of fiber, potassium, iron, vitamin C and beta-carotene. The quicker the cooking time, the more flavor the asparagus will have. Their unique taste pairs well with everything from mushrooms to seafood to salads. At your local farmers market, look for bunches that are firm, brightly colored and straight.
Cranberries, the cousin of blueberries, have long been valued for their ability to help prevent and treat urinary tract infections. Recent studies show that this berry may also promote gastrointestinal and oral health, prevent the formation of kidney stones, lower LDL and raise HDL (good) cholesterol, aid in recovery from stroke, and even help prevent cancer. Cranberries are a good source of vitamin C, a very good source of dietary fiber, and a great source of manganese and vitamin K. Cranberries are also a source of polyphenol antioxidants, which are being researched for their possible benefits to the cardiovascular system and immune system. Fresh cranberries are at their peak during the holiday season between October and December. When in season choose fresh, plump cranberries, deep red in color, and quite firm to the touch. Firmness is a primary indicator of quality. The deeper red their color, the more highly concentrated are cranberries’ beneficial compounds. When the season is over or if you can’t find fresh cranberries but still want all the nutritional benefits, simply look for dried or frozen cranberries at your local grocery store. The recipe included is perfect as a holiday side dish or throw over brown rice to make a complete vegan meal. Trust me, these are not your mother’s Brussels sprouts.
