I had been doing more research this week and I wanted to not only add a few foods to the "Superfoods" list but also add to a few already on there!
I'd like to start with Pomegranate! This superfood is definitely for all. Here's why-
More antioxidants than red wine or green tea are packed in poms!
Along with killing prostate cancer cells, research has shown this food helps prevent skin cancer and kill breast cancer cells!
Big help in fighting Alzheimers! Studies in animals showed 50% less brain deteriation along with increased abilities on mazes and tests as they aged.
Israeli researchers found that a group of diabetics who drank about 2 ounces of pomegranate juice a day for three months kept their bodies from absorbing bad cholesterol into their immune system cells (a major contributing factor to hardened arteries).
My advice, don't drink Pom juice right before bed especially if you already have trouble sleeping. Drink in the morning or afternoon for a healthy dose of energy.
Kiwi-
Contains more vision-saving lutein than any other fruit or vegetable, except for corn.
A 2004 study showed people who ate two or three kiwis for 28 days significantly reduced their risk of forming a clot as well as dropping their triglycerides, a blood fat linked to heart attack, dropped by 15 percent.
Barley-
Can lower bad cholesterol by as much as 17.4%
In a 2004 study adults with moderately high cholesterol levels on a low-fat American Heart Association diet began to see an improvement only when barley was added to the diet.
Also decreases blood sugar and insulin levels!
Cranberries-
Cancer protector, fights UTI's, prevents gum disease as well as helping prevent strokes. Compounds in the juice or in 1/3 of dried cranberries can actually alter antibiotic-resistant strains, making it impossible for bacteria to trigger an infection.
Broccoli Sprouts - contains at least 20 times as much of disease-fighting sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS) as broccoli. SGS does what? Kills tumors, protects your heart and saves your sight.
1 ounce of sprouts has as much SGS as 1 1/4 pounds of broccoli.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Heal Yourself
So we all know that food is wonderful. I don't know too many people that hate it! :) Well, it's true! Food is a wonderful, wonderful part of life. It's an essential part of life. It's also filled with the very nutrients that can naturally heal and protect your body. I love the idea that I can enjoy a delicious meal and help myself at the same time. I hope you will too.
Below are some of my favorites things as well as some I need to include more of in my diet. I've also listed some of the reason you should include them too! I will add that a few of these are cancer fighting. As a former smoker I am really interested in finding ways to help repair the damage I have done to myself and ways to reduce my risks.
I hope you enjoy!! PS...I am no doctor :) I have only done some research that I want to share.
Sweet Potatoes- I have to admit, I use to think this was unhealthy because it had the word sweet in it. It's actually just unhealthy when you cook it with all that stuff you don't need. By it's self it is easily one of the healthiest foods you can eat.
Advantages- Protects against Parkinson's, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's, liver disease, HIV, heart attack, stroke and cancer! Counters effects of secondhand smoke and helps prevent diabetes. Can enhance metabolism and immune health.
That is one healthy potato!!!!!!
Amount- you can have one a day but if not try at least 4 a week.
Figs (This is one of those things I should add.)
Advantages- PACKED with potassium, manganese, fiber and antioxidants. Helps support pH levels which make it difficult for pathogens to invade. Lowers insulin and blood sugar levels reducing risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Amount- about four a week. Eat alone and pick dark figs for the most nutrients.
Pomegranates - Ah, the difficult fruit. Oh, and the fruit that stains. So what is good about this fruit other than you get a workout while trying to get the seeds out? Well, this is for the men. This fruit actually slows the growth of prostate cancer cells by 6 times!
Amount- 1 pom or a cup a day. (avoid sugary imitation)
Mushrooms- (Shiitake reiki, maitake)Certain mushrooms will give you different benefits so look up what you can if you'd like some other kinds.
Advantages- Cancer fighter!
Amount - 1/2cup twice a week
Blueberries- This is a fruit I have only recently been trying to add more of. (Outside of muffins!!) One serving of these are going to give you more antioxidants than any other fruit!
Advantages -antioxidant super food!, cancer and heart disease preventer!
Amount - Whatever you'd like. I read that putting these with some strawberries and drizzling with lemon juice is going to give you a real super fighting snack.
Ginger - I'm trying to find more ways to get this fresh root in my diet.
Advantages- Cancer suppressor (especially against colon)
Amount- as much as you can get!
Chili Peppers - LOVE THESE
Advantages - Increases metabolism, natural blood thinner, helps release endorphins, fights infections, prevents inflammation and helps prevents prostate cancer.
Amount - 1/2 pepper or 1 Tablespoon of flakes a day.
Cinnamon- MMM
Advantages - Prevents bad breath!, inhibits blood clotting, inhibits bacterial growth. Right now it's also suggested it can help stabilize blood sugar.
Amount - half a teaspoon a day
Green Tea - We all know it's good.....so do we know why?
Advantages - Reduces the risk of most types of cancer, Supports growth of GOOD intestinal bacteria, inhibits bad bacteria.
Amount - 4 cups a day! Yep 4. With 70 percent of you immune system located in your digestive tract, you want to drink 4!
I know I will be trying to get more of these in my diet. I have a few covered but
Below are some of my favorites things as well as some I need to include more of in my diet. I've also listed some of the reason you should include them too! I will add that a few of these are cancer fighting. As a former smoker I am really interested in finding ways to help repair the damage I have done to myself and ways to reduce my risks.
I hope you enjoy!! PS...I am no doctor :) I have only done some research that I want to share.
Sweet Potatoes- I have to admit, I use to think this was unhealthy because it had the word sweet in it. It's actually just unhealthy when you cook it with all that stuff you don't need. By it's self it is easily one of the healthiest foods you can eat.
Advantages- Protects against Parkinson's, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's, liver disease, HIV, heart attack, stroke and cancer! Counters effects of secondhand smoke and helps prevent diabetes. Can enhance metabolism and immune health.
That is one healthy potato!!!!!!
Amount- you can have one a day but if not try at least 4 a week.
Figs (This is one of those things I should add.)
Advantages- PACKED with potassium, manganese, fiber and antioxidants. Helps support pH levels which make it difficult for pathogens to invade. Lowers insulin and blood sugar levels reducing risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Amount- about four a week. Eat alone and pick dark figs for the most nutrients.
Pomegranates - Ah, the difficult fruit. Oh, and the fruit that stains. So what is good about this fruit other than you get a workout while trying to get the seeds out? Well, this is for the men. This fruit actually slows the growth of prostate cancer cells by 6 times!
Amount- 1 pom or a cup a day. (avoid sugary imitation)
Mushrooms- (Shiitake reiki, maitake)Certain mushrooms will give you different benefits so look up what you can if you'd like some other kinds.
Advantages- Cancer fighter!
Amount - 1/2cup twice a week
Blueberries- This is a fruit I have only recently been trying to add more of. (Outside of muffins!!) One serving of these are going to give you more antioxidants than any other fruit!
Advantages -antioxidant super food!, cancer and heart disease preventer!
Amount - Whatever you'd like. I read that putting these with some strawberries and drizzling with lemon juice is going to give you a real super fighting snack.
Ginger - I'm trying to find more ways to get this fresh root in my diet.
Advantages- Cancer suppressor (especially against colon)
Amount- as much as you can get!
Chili Peppers - LOVE THESE
Advantages - Increases metabolism, natural blood thinner, helps release endorphins, fights infections, prevents inflammation and helps prevents prostate cancer.
Amount - 1/2 pepper or 1 Tablespoon of flakes a day.
Cinnamon- MMM
Advantages - Prevents bad breath!, inhibits blood clotting, inhibits bacterial growth. Right now it's also suggested it can help stabilize blood sugar.
Amount - half a teaspoon a day
Green Tea - We all know it's good.....so do we know why?
Advantages - Reduces the risk of most types of cancer, Supports growth of GOOD intestinal bacteria, inhibits bad bacteria.
Amount - 4 cups a day! Yep 4. With 70 percent of you immune system located in your digestive tract, you want to drink 4!
I know I will be trying to get more of these in my diet. I have a few covered but
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Creation
Welcome!! Here's to a new year, a new blog and a new approach.
So I'd like to tell you about my goal for this blog, my reasons behind it's creation.
We are all on our own journey. Each of us are on a course and although we have people in our lives that we might feel are on this journey with us, I feel that is simply not true. Take a spouse or significant other, while we are joined in so much, we are still individuals with our own desires, needs, dreams. I think the beauty of that relationship is finding the person that walks your parallel path, side by side. As partners, parents, friends, I think it's important for us to cheer on those people close to us or ones that even show up for a short time as they walk their path. While we support, cheer and walk together with one another we must still nourish our inner self and strengthen ourselves so that we may continue to improve ourselves. This in turn makes us better people to those around. So, my hope for this year is to continue trying to improve my whole self. That includes my diet, my activities, my thoughts and I wanted to share that with you. I plan to update at least once a week. It may just be a healthy recipe or maybe a thought for the day. I might share a place to go if you live in the area or an activity to do that will boost your health. Whatever it may be, the plan is for it to be something good for you! So, I hope you come back and I hope that my journey to whole health will be a boosting agent in yours.
Today I want to share a bit of what I am dealing with. This week I started running again. I haven't really ran since I came to Nashville although I have been wanting to. Well, I finally headed over to the gym and on Thursday evening my ankle started hurting out of the blue. By the end of the evening I could barely put any pressure on it. Frustrating, to say the least. Today I had a 3 mile run on my schedule which I can not do. I actually don't know when or if I will be running again anytime soon. From what I can tell it seems like I might be dealing with tendinitis of the peroneal tendon. Sadly, this can take months to heal. This unexpected injury has not only messed with my exercise schedule but it has also messed with my daily routine. I almost cried earlier while trying to get laundry in washer. I did notice that after sleeping for 8 hours last night, my ankle felt the best it had since Thursday. So, rest is obviously necessary. "How do I tell that to my plan?" was my first thought. Sitting around when I don't want to drives me crazy but when I am extremely busy all I want to do is be lazy. Do you see the red flashing light???? How is it possible to enjoy life when we are constantly unhappy with the present moment? I also spend most of my days thinking about everything I need to do. Lists, lists, thoughts of lists. It's never NOW. I live for what WILL happen. Why not love what IS happening? And if we can't love what is happening let us remind ourselves that we have a choice...this is our own personal journey and we can change the direction. I'd like to love my NOW, my present moment. I want to enjoy this time where I have to slow down and accept that my body needs something. I want to take pride in the fact that I am taking care of myself. I also want to enjoy whatever it is I am doing.....today, that's taking it easy.
Why not take time throughout your day to see why you love your present moment.
Here is a recipe for the week.
Mini Pizza's
1 Flattie (I like spinach and these can be found at most any grocer)
pizza sauce
Veggies of your choice( You can saute first or just put fresh on pizza for a bigger crunch)
1/4 cup Fat Free mozzarella
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 minced garlic clove
Cover flattie with sauce, sprinkle with garlic, basil, oregano. Cover with your choice of diced veggies. Sprinkle with cheese and pop in the oven.
Preheat oven to 400
Bake for 15 min.
This whole pizza is for you! It's one delicious and healthy recipe! If you are a WW follower you will be happy to know this whole pizza is 3 points! Just watch the brand of sauce as some can be higher in points than others. If your sauce is more than 1 point then be sure to add the extra to your points.
Last, I'm glad you're reading. I hope you come back. :)
So I'd like to tell you about my goal for this blog, my reasons behind it's creation.
We are all on our own journey. Each of us are on a course and although we have people in our lives that we might feel are on this journey with us, I feel that is simply not true. Take a spouse or significant other, while we are joined in so much, we are still individuals with our own desires, needs, dreams. I think the beauty of that relationship is finding the person that walks your parallel path, side by side. As partners, parents, friends, I think it's important for us to cheer on those people close to us or ones that even show up for a short time as they walk their path. While we support, cheer and walk together with one another we must still nourish our inner self and strengthen ourselves so that we may continue to improve ourselves. This in turn makes us better people to those around. So, my hope for this year is to continue trying to improve my whole self. That includes my diet, my activities, my thoughts and I wanted to share that with you. I plan to update at least once a week. It may just be a healthy recipe or maybe a thought for the day. I might share a place to go if you live in the area or an activity to do that will boost your health. Whatever it may be, the plan is for it to be something good for you! So, I hope you come back and I hope that my journey to whole health will be a boosting agent in yours.
Today I want to share a bit of what I am dealing with. This week I started running again. I haven't really ran since I came to Nashville although I have been wanting to. Well, I finally headed over to the gym and on Thursday evening my ankle started hurting out of the blue. By the end of the evening I could barely put any pressure on it. Frustrating, to say the least. Today I had a 3 mile run on my schedule which I can not do. I actually don't know when or if I will be running again anytime soon. From what I can tell it seems like I might be dealing with tendinitis of the peroneal tendon. Sadly, this can take months to heal. This unexpected injury has not only messed with my exercise schedule but it has also messed with my daily routine. I almost cried earlier while trying to get laundry in washer. I did notice that after sleeping for 8 hours last night, my ankle felt the best it had since Thursday. So, rest is obviously necessary. "How do I tell that to my plan?" was my first thought. Sitting around when I don't want to drives me crazy but when I am extremely busy all I want to do is be lazy. Do you see the red flashing light???? How is it possible to enjoy life when we are constantly unhappy with the present moment? I also spend most of my days thinking about everything I need to do. Lists, lists, thoughts of lists. It's never NOW. I live for what WILL happen. Why not love what IS happening? And if we can't love what is happening let us remind ourselves that we have a choice...this is our own personal journey and we can change the direction. I'd like to love my NOW, my present moment. I want to enjoy this time where I have to slow down and accept that my body needs something. I want to take pride in the fact that I am taking care of myself. I also want to enjoy whatever it is I am doing.....today, that's taking it easy.
Why not take time throughout your day to see why you love your present moment.
Here is a recipe for the week.
Mini Pizza's
1 Flattie (I like spinach and these can be found at most any grocer)
pizza sauce
Veggies of your choice( You can saute first or just put fresh on pizza for a bigger crunch)
1/4 cup Fat Free mozzarella
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 minced garlic clove
Cover flattie with sauce, sprinkle with garlic, basil, oregano. Cover with your choice of diced veggies. Sprinkle with cheese and pop in the oven.
Preheat oven to 400
Bake for 15 min.
This whole pizza is for you! It's one delicious and healthy recipe! If you are a WW follower you will be happy to know this whole pizza is 3 points! Just watch the brand of sauce as some can be higher in points than others. If your sauce is more than 1 point then be sure to add the extra to your points.
Last, I'm glad you're reading. I hope you come back. :)
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