Archive for December, 2009
December 30th, 2009 -- Posted in Fitness, Green Living, Healthy Eating |
It’s quite amazing what a simple potato can contain. Misinformation regarding the nutritional value of the potato is plentiful. In fact, an average (~5.3 oz) potato with the skin contains:
- 45% of the daily value for vitamin C
- 620 mg potassium, comparable to bananas, spinach and broccoli
- trace amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, folate, magnesium, phosphorous, iron and zinc
- all for only 163 calories and no fat.
As you can see, potatoes are highly nutritious and are a very good source of potassium and vitamin C, as well as fiber, magnesium, copper, manganese, niacin, vitamin B6 and folate.
And potatoes with the skin on are an excellent source of fiber. In fact, with 2 grams of fiber per serving, a potato equals or exceeds that of many “whole” grain products-whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta and many cereals.
Despite the popular notion, the majority of nutrients are not found in the skin, but in the potato itself. Nonetheless, leaving the skin on the potatoes retains all the nutrients, the fiber in the skin and makes potatoes easier to prepare.
The other good news is that a medium potato has only 163 calories and 0 grams of fat. The potato’s cousin, the sweet potato, is even more nutritious. And, continue reading »
Technorati Tags: GI, nutritious, potato
December 22nd, 2009 -- Posted in Green Living, Healthy Eating |
Studies have found that fennel has wonderful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory characteristics. Used as decongestant, it helps to breathe more easily when you have a cold.
It also helps to suppresses spasms of the stomach, intestine or urinary bladder.
Fennel promotes a healthy immune system with a lot of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, which has antimicrobial properties, and potassium, which guards against stroke.
It is also a very good source of folic acid and phosphorous. In addition, fennel
is a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, and manganese.
Fennel seeds are known to be a fulfilling meal and were used during Christian fasting and on long road marches by the Roman soldiers. Fennel seeds are still associated with being an appetite suppressant and are commonly used by those trying to loose weight.
It is believed from folklore that this herb has mysterious vitalistic characters. It was believed that snakes would digest fennel to shed their skin and to sharpen their vision.
Likewise, it was believed that this herb has a rejuvenating effect on man and helps the eye sight. Moreover, fennel stimulates lactation and loss of weight.
Greek Mythology claims Prometheus used the stalk of a fennel plant to steal fire from the gods. In medieval times fennel was used in conjunction with St Johns Wort to keep away witchcraft and other evil things. This might have originated because fennel can be used as an insect repellant.
If you have ever used fennel in your meal preparations, you immediately notice the licorice aroma. This is because fennel is a key component in licorice. This herb, though not widely used, is nonetheless quite popular among culinary
experts. And, continue reading »
Technorati Tags: cucumber, fennel, vitamin C
December 22nd, 2009 -- Posted in Green Living, Healthy Eating |
Studies have found that fennel has wonderful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory characteristics. Used as decongestant, it helps to breathe more easily when you have a cold.
It also helps to suppresses spasms of the stomach, intestine or urinary bladder.
Fennel promotes a healthy immune system with a lot of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, which has antimicrobial properties, and potassium, which guards against stroke.
It is also a very good source of folic acid and phosphorous. In addition, fennel
is a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, and manganese.
Fennel seeds are known to be a fulfilling meal and were used during Christian fasting and on long road marches by the Roman soldiers. Fennel seeds are still associated with being an appetite suppressant and are commonly used by those trying to loose weight.
It is believed from folklore that this herb has mysterious vitalistic characters. It was believed that snakes would digest fennel to shed their skin and to sharpen their vision.
Likewise, it was believed that this herb has a rejuvenating effect on man and helps the eye sight. Moreover, fennel stimulates lactation and loss of weight.
Greek Mythology claims Prometheus used the stalk of a fennel plant to steal fire from the gods. In medieval times fennel was used in conjunction with St Johns Wort to keep away witchcraft and other evil things. This might have originated because fennel can be used as an insect repellant.
If you have ever used fennel in your meal preparations, you immediately notice the licorice aroma. This is because fennel is a key component in licorice. This herb, though not widely used, is nonetheless quite popular among culinary
experts. And, continue reading »
Technorati Tags: cucumber, fennel, vitamin C
December 17th, 2009 -- Posted in Healthy Eating, Natural Beauty, Natural Remedies |
Eating a scrumptiously healthy dark chocolate provides a sweet taste from the stars …and has great health benefits.
Devouring chocolate as a cure for high stress …claims a new clinical trial test. This lovely group of lucky eaters discovered an ounce a day, for two straight weeks, reduced levels of stress hormones. Whoopee! Pass the goodies. And,
You might be amazed to learn these dark goodies can help you lose the fat you got! Why? Because it has appetite-suppressant properties, cocoa is often added to weight loss products to help control hunger.
While you may have been told that chocolate is “fattening”, the truth is that the fats found in cocoa butter are actually healthy fats! And, continue reading »
Technorati Tags: antioxidants, chocolate, health benefits
December 17th, 2009 -- Posted in Healthy Eating, Natural Beauty, Natural Remedies |
Eating a scrumptiously healthy dark chocolate provides a sweet taste from the stars …and has great health benefits.
Devouring chocolate as a cure for high stress …claims a new clinical trial test. This lovely group of lucky eaters discovered an ounce a day, for two straight weeks, reduced levels of stress hormones. Whoopee! Pass the goodies. And,
You might be amazed to learn these dark goodies can help you lose the fat you got! Why? Because it has appetite-suppressant properties, cocoa is often added to weight loss products to help control hunger.
While you may have been told that chocolate is “fattening”, the truth is that the fats found in cocoa butter are actually healthy fats! And, continue reading »
Technorati Tags: antioxidants, chocolate, health benefits
December 12th, 2009 -- Posted in Green Living, Healthy Eating, Natural Beauty, Natural Remedies |
A heaped teaspoon of turmeric a day keeps inflammatory diseases, pain & cancers at bay! For thousands of years, turmeric has been a very efficient everyday remedy for acute and chronic inflammation and pain – without any undesirable side effects!
Turmeric is one of nature’s most powerful healers. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Turmeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.
The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.
Here are several reasons to add turmeric to your diet: And, continue reading »
Technorati Tags: Alzheimer's disease, spice, turmeric
December 9th, 2009 -- Posted in Fitness |
Everybody should exercise for the health benefits – there is no doubt about it- exercise is good for you. When it comes to exercise, it’s easy to fall victim to the “should” phenomenon.
As in, we should do an exercise because it’s supposed to be the most effective for weight loss. Or exercise should be difficult or perhaps we’re not doing it right. That kind of thinking can prevent us starting or sticking to an exercise program. And it shouldn’t.
In reality, the consistency is more important than the intensity of an exercise. Some health professionals recommend 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. But most people can not do that. They usually start with 20 minutes or more at least 3 times per week.
The 20 minutes is best if it is done all at one time, so that it makes your heart beat a little faster, makes you sweat a little bit, and it makes you breathe a little harder!
At least 20 minutes all at one time, 3-4 times per week. And, continue reading »
Technorati Tags: exercise, heart, swim
December 7th, 2009 -- Posted in Fitness, Healthy Eating |
Eating right is not just about losing weight. It’s about gaining health and lowering your risks of for heart disease, stroke and cancer — risks that increase as you age.
The earlier you start, the better off you’ll be. But it’s never too late to make positive changes in your diet.
Your 20s: Never Too Early To Start
If you’re in the third decade of your life, you can probably eat a bag of chips and burn off the calories in the gym. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
This is the time to build good habits. If you need inspiration, think of an old guy on the beach wearing a Speedo with his gut hanging out. He once had a speedy metabolism, too. And, continue reading »
Technorati Tags: eating right, exercise, salmon
December 5th, 2009 -- Posted in Green Living, Natural Beauty, Natural Remedies |
Women in their 40’s should not get routine mammograms for early detection of breast cancer, advises U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
The group recommends that before having a mammogram, women ages 40 to 49 should talk to their doctors about the risks and benefits of the test, and then decide if they want to be screened.
This new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is stirring up controversy. The new advice is a small step in the right direction.
For starters mammograms expose your body to radiation that can be 1,000 times greater than that from a chest x-ray. This poses risks of cancer.
Mammography also compresses your breasts tightly, and often painfully, which could lead to a lethal spread of cancerous cells, should they exist.
What is rarely discussed about mammograms is this: the tests could actually be causing many cases of breast cancer
In fact, a new study just presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), concludes the low-dose radiation from annual mammography screening significantly increases breast cancer risk in women with a genetic or familial predisposition to breast cancer. And, continue reading »
Technorati Tags: breast cancer, cancer risk, mammograms
December 2nd, 2009 -- Posted in Natural Beauty, Natural Remedies |
People have used olive oil for centuries for personal care. It is a great skin moisturizer, because it contains linoleic acid which prevents water from evaporating.
Olive oil is rich with natural fats that is why it is perfect for nourishing dry and chapped skin organically. In addition to its ability to help lower cholesterol, promote heart health, and add suppleness to the skin, olive oil is a naturally pampering and nourishing hair treatment.
The oil is extracted from olive’s juice and is rich in oleic acid. Oleic acid is an effective antioxidant and is a good source of skin-friendly elements such as vitamin E, poliphenols and flavonoids.
Explore these 9 secrets for looking & feeling good with olive oil.And, continue reading »
Technorati Tags: nails, olive oil, vitamin E
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