Green Tea and More...

EAT: Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:24:00 +0000

It's Tuesday! That means it's time for the Tasty Tuesday recipe. This week, to celebrate the potato harvest, we have Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary. Adding rosemary to foods high in starch like potatoes cooking at high temperatures (above 120 C and 250 F) reduces a carcinogenic chemical called acrylamide that is produced during the cooking process. Read more about it.

1. I usually estimate one medium to large potato per person. No need to peel the potatoes either. Turn on the oven and set the temperature to 400 F.

2. Cut each potato into thick slices as shown in the picture. Just about any type of potato works. Most recipes specify Yukon Gold, but I don't usually see these in the organic section so I opt for red potatoes.

3. Place potatoes in a glass or stainless steel bowl. Using a scissor, cut up several sprigs of fresh rosemary and add to the potatoes in the bowl. Reserve a few sprigs of rosemary for garnish.

4. Add a tablespoon of olive oil so that potatoes are coated when mixture is stirred. Be generous. Olive oil is a fat that's good for you. Transfer potatoes to a glass baking dish and place in the oven.

5. Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes. Potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from oven and let cool. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

EAT: Basil, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:01:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but I have had a bumper crop of basil this year. In fact I have more basil than I know what to do with. I mean how much pesto can I make? Well, quite a bit actually because I can freeze it in ice cube size portions for winter meals, but fresh basil? I saw this salad while poking around the on internet and decided to give it a try.

The balsamic gives the cucumber slices an unappetizing brown color, but don't let the picture fool you. As a small side salad it's quite tasty, as a meal by itself? Not so much. It needs the olives and crackers (you could substitute freshly baked breadsticks--stay tuned for my breadmaking efforts), but the hard boiled egg is optional. The olives give it some zing and complement the balsamic vinegar while the crackers add some crunch or chew if you substitute the breadsticks.

To make the salad:

1 cup Basil leaves, shredded (no stems)
1 Cucumber, peeled, cut in half, and seeded
1 pint of Grape or Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half
2 tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

EAT: Power Yogurt with Fruit & Flax Seed Oil

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:41:00 +0000

It's Tuesday again! Time for another quick, but nutritious recipe. Today's feature is a tasty treat I like to call Power Yogurt. Power Yogurt can be made with just about any fruit--fresh and in season or frozen. Right now melons are in season but the black raspberries I used were frozen although I did pick them from my personal berry patch last month. I made the yogurt myself (here's how) -- don't worry it's pretty easy.

Add the fruit and yogurt to a bowl. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over it and a tablespoon or two of flax seed oil (whatever amount you normally use), top it off with a spoonful of honey, mix it around a bit and you're good to go. Add a handful of almonds if you like. Power Yogurt is a healthy choice for breakfast, a mid-morning or late afternoon snack or dessert. Yummy!

Black Raspberries and Cancer Prevention

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:54:00 +0000

I'm fortunate to live in a place where I have access to a very large black raspberry patch that yields several quarts of wild black raspberries every year. Black raspberries are not high on people's list of favorite berries because they have a lot more seeds than red raspberries and are not as sweet. Nonetheless, I enjoy them.

Most fruits and vegetables are good for us, and berries especially so, which is why they are a staple in my diet--and should be in yours too. Black raspberries contain phenols, phytosterols, vitamins, and minerals that individually are known to prevent cancer in animals. A recent study (link above) looked at freeze dried black raspberries and gene expression in rats when exposed to carcinogens. Scientists discovered that in the group of rats that ate the freeze dried black raspberry powder about one-fifth of the exposed genes showed near normal levels of activity meaning the cells they influenced would not develop into cancerous ones.

Freeze drying concentrates these substances making them 10 times more powerful than they would be otherwise. This type of "dosing up" with concentrated compounds like freeze dried black raspberry powder is referred to as cancer chemoprevention. For most of us, eating concentrated freeze dried berry powder is not an option; however, eating a cup of fresh or frozen berries every day certainly is.

EAT: Breakfast of Champions

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:21:00 +0000

Well, maybe not the breakfast of champions, but how about the breakfast of busy moms? This is one of my favorite breakfast meals. It's fast, nutritious, tastes delicious, and is easy to make. All you need is one banana, a handful of nuts (almonds, cashews, or Brazil nuts are my top three choices), and a dozen or so Ghiradelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate morsels. Mix and match for the best taste, but don't wash it down with milk (find out why below). Here's why this breakfast is good for you:

Bananas - Not only are they high in fiber, they contain three natural forms of sugar guaranteed to give you a quick energy boost.

60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Morsels - A dark chocolate is a potent antioxidant when eaten in moderation helps lower blood pressure. Skip the milk to wash it down though. Milk interferes with the absorption of antioxidants in the body.

Almonds - Raw, unsalted almonds are rich in fiber, protein, calcium, and magnesium, as well as Vitamin E and other trace minerals. 23 almonds = 1 ounce (6 grams of protein!).

EAT: Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Salad (Insalata Caprese)

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:09:00 +0000

I've been eating this tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad for years. I made it up myself, but like most recipes it's not original or unique. In fact, it's a popular salad in Italian cuisine, and goes by the name of insalata cuprese. It's really tasty and heart healthy, plus it's a terrific way to use up those tomatoes that are now ripening in the garden.

This year I grew grape tomatoes so I used some of them in the salad, but plum tomatoes also work just fine. Like most of my recipes, the quantities and measurements are somewhat imprecise.

Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Salad (Insalata Cuprese)

3 to 4 sprigs of fresh basil leaves
8 ounces Mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
Grape or Plum Tomatoes (they're less juicy), sliced
2 to 3 Garlic cloves, crushed
Olive oil
Thyme sprigs for garnish
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

The salad is made in layers so you can use a regular dinner plate, glass pie plate, or other shallow glass baking dish. The first layer is basil leaves, the second layer is mozzarella, and the third layer is tomatoes. Crush the garlic cloves in a garlic press and sprinkle over the salad. Next, drizzle a generous amount of olive oil. Garnish with sprigs of thyme, basil, or oregano and add salt and pepper to taste.

What's nice about this salad is that you can layer it any way you want. If you want tomatoes on the bottom and basil on the top, no problem. You can also eat the salad straight away (especially in the summer) or let sit at room temperature for several hours (better for winter). You can also cover it and place in the fridge overnight to eat the next day, but take it out an hour or so before serving so that it's room temperature. The reason for this is that the flavors are enhanced at room temperature.

Buon appetito!

Yoga Improves Balance in Older Women

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:14:00 +0000

AM/PM Yoga For Beginners (with The Dalai Lama & 10 Routines)

If you're a woman over the age of 65, you might consider busting a few yoga moves to help with balance and flexibility. According to a recent study at Temple university's Gait Study Center, learning and doing just a few basic yoga poses or asanas, can help prevent falls that are way too common in older women.

Yoga is more than just a relaxation technique, it improves muscle strength that in turn increase stability. Participants were taught very basic yoga techniques that included proper ways to stand, breathe, and pose. Researchers also believe that basic yoga has positive psychological affects as well as physical ones.

EAT: Summer Squash Stir Fry

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:51:00 +0000

Since it's Tuesday, it's recipe day! Here's a quick and easy recipe for the summer squash harvest from the garden. There are only four ingredients: Summer squash, scallions, sage, and olive oil. Not only is it good for you, the presentation is bright and cheery with vibrant yellow and greens.

Summer Squash with Sage and Scallions

2 small summer squash, sliced thinly
2 to 3 scallions cut into pieces (greens included)
1 or 2 small bunches of fresh sage
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat pan and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add summer squash and stir fry over high heat for a few minutes. Add scallions and stirfry the vegetables until crisp tender. Add sage last to preserve taste and color and stirfry mixture for 30 seconds. Add salt and pepper to taste, transfer to a pretty plate and enjoy!

5 Secrets of Healthy Living

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:25:00 +0000

Preserve Jr. Toothbrush

Yes, there really are secrets to healthy living and probably many more than five of them! And yes, toothbrushes like these Preserve Jr. toothbrushes for kids that are made from recycled plastics, do have something to do with it!

1. Brush and Floss Your Teeth Every Day
Healthy teeth seem to correlate to a healthy heart. It has something to do with the type of bacteria. Read more about it.

2. Drink Green Tea
From killing off "superbugs" to protecting skin, green tea is one of those ingredients that just plain good for us. Drink 3 to 4 cups of green tea a day for maximum health benefits. This is a healthy habit I need to work on.

3. Sleep 7 to 8 Hours Every Night
If you're overworked, overtired, and over-stressed, skip the sleeping pills and alcohol and opt for meditation or yoga before bedtime or try a natural sleep solution like Dreamerz. Works for me!

4. Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day
Great for your body, great for your skin. My water of choice is from a tap that is fitted with a faucet mounted PUR water filter. I'm skeptical about tap water these days with all the estrogenic compounds and whatnot in the water (transgendered fish anyone?) that is not removed by municipal wastewater treatment plants. Not sure my PUR water filter removes it either, so I need to do a little more research on that one. And, when it comes to drinking bottled water, never drink it after it's been sitting in a hot car or in the hot sun. Read more about it.

5. Be Kind to Yourself and to Others
For me, this means getting enough sleep and feeling good. If I'm tired or not feeling well or stressed out I'm a lot more irritable than I should be. Instead of lashing out at others when you're not feeling your best, try a smile. Or, as the saying goes, kill your enemies with kindness--or something like that.

DRINK: Lemon Verbena Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:13:00 +0000

Herbal teas and other herbal drinks are not only good for you, they're delicious and refreshing when served as "iced teas" on a hot summer day. I happen to have a small lemon verbena plant, which those of you living in Mediterranean climates know grows as a small tree, so I know firsthand how delightful lemon verbena tea can be.

Iced Lemon Verbena Tea Recipe

15 to 20 medium to large fresh verbena leaves, torn (not cut) into pieces
2 organic green tea bags (optional)
2 to 3 tablespoons of honey or lavender syrup (scroll to bottom of page for lavender syrup recipe)
4 cups filtered water

Bring water to a boil. Add torn verbena leaves and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Add tea bags and honey and steep for 10 minutes. Let cool, pour into a glass pitcher and refrigerate until cold. Garnish with a sprig of lemon verbena. Since herbal teas tend not to have strong flavors, I do not add water to dilute the strength of the tea; however, I sometimes toss in a few frozen raspberries or blueberries and an ice cube or two when serving it.

Free Grazing Cows Produce Better Milk

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:28:00 +0000

When I first moved to Vermont in the mid-1960s, the standing joke was that there were more cows than people. It was probably true. Sadly, it's definitely not true today, although the Ben & Jerry's trucks with the black and white cows painted on the sides are pretty much all over the place. While dairy farms remain, it's become difficult to make a living as a farmer. Nonetheless, growing up here gave me an appreciation for all things fresh when it comes to foods, including dairy. Nothing but pure butter for me thank you.

The news that free grazing cows produce better milk, which of course makes better butter, cream, cheese, ice cream, and so on seems like a no brainer. After all it's what nature intended. Still, it's nice to see it validated scientifically. What the researchers found was that beneficial fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins were significantly higher. One BFA in particular was 60% higher in the summer--conjugated linoleic acid also known as CLA9. In other words, there are seasonal differences that translate into what cows are fed in general and quality of the milk produced.

"Gillian Butler, livestock project manager for the Nafferton Ecological Farming Group at Newcastle University, who led the study explained, ‘What is different about this research is it clearly shows that on organic farms, letting cows graze naturally, using forage-based diet, is the most important reason for the differences in the composition between organic and conventional milk."

And there you have it. Another reason to go organic.

Purple Pigments in Berries Fight Obesity

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:18:00 +0000

Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, cranberries, strawberries, and purple corn (who knew?). What they all have in common is that their colors are derived from purple pigments called anthocyanins. Apparently these pretty purple pigments are pretty good for you too. But we already knew that, right? What we might not have known is that these same pigments can help fight fat or obesity if we want to be polite about it.

To be more precise, purified extracts of these pigments, which are concentrated in the skins of the fruits, seem to be far more effective than simply eating the fruits themselves. The study participants (who were mice by the way!) were eating a high fat diet to begin with, but if you're not, including fresh berries in your diet is definitely a smart move.

Since fresh berries and other purple fruits aren't always in season, there is another alternative that I recommend. It's an antioxidant drink aptly called PURPLE and it's delicious. I have some cooling in my fridge right now as a matter of fact. Cheers!

5 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress in Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:07:00 +0000

1. Take a walk
Whether it's 90 degrees or 19, getting outside is a great stress reducer. Take a walk through the park, hike a nature trail, or explore a new neighborhood on foot.

2. People watch
Head to a cafe and sit outside if it's summer or next to the window if the weather's not so nice. Sip a cup of tea or a coffee and watch the passersby or daydream. You can bring a book, a magazine, or the newspaper, but chances are you'll find people watching much more interesting.

3. Work in the garden
Whether it's working in your own garden, weeding an elderly neighbor's vegetable patch, or planting a community garden, gardening is a terrific method of reducing stress both physically and emotionally.

4. Sit by a babbling brook or the next best thing...
Water soothes the soul, whether you are in it or simply listening to it. Some of us are lucky to have a babbling brook winding through our backyards and others are able to visit magnificent fountains in their public parks. Some people are ambitious enough to build fountains and water features in their backyards.

5. Take a shower
It may sound silly to some people, but for me taking a shower is just as much a transition time as it a time to get clean. It's also a way to cool down on a hot summer day. Even 5 minutes under the shower jets can do wonders for your body and soul in terms of reducing stress levels.

The Breadmaker

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:10:00 +0000

Last week I went on a rant about the so-called ingredients that I feel are lessening the nutritional value of our food, soy and high fructose corn syrup in particular. The subject was bread and I vowed to buy a breadmaker so I could bake my own bread. Nothing too labor intensive, since I really can't add too much more to my Suzy Homemaker workload. Then I started reading The Coming China Wars and had another rant, albeit a mini one, about Brand Name or Country of Origin.

The breadmaker I originally ordered was on back order so I canceled it, my primary motivation being that it was made in China. I have been looking for a breadmaker that is NOT made in China but have found this to be an impossible task. There doesn't seem to be such a machine.

As I briefly mentioned the other day more and more of our food is coming from China as well, and the growing conditions in that country are less than pristine shall we say. Polluted streams, rivers, and lakes, filthy air, antibiotics injected into fish farm pond water and animals, viruses galore, and ironically, terrific environmental regulations nearly on par with the US, but sadly, rarely enforced. The more I read about China, the more I am determined to eat local and eat organic. And sorry, I won't eat organic vegetables or fruits grown in China (Cascade Farms for one--check the label because they list country of origin).

As uneasy as it makes me feel, I guess I have no choice but to order a breadmaker made in China. I just don't know which one yet.

EAT: Savory Summer Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:54:00 +0000

Hmmm...Seems like I posted a recipe last Tuesday as well. Maybe I should start a "Tasty Tuesday Recipe" series. Or maybe it's because I have more energy at the beginning of the week and am feeling more creative? Who knows. Today's feature recipe is a salad that I've been eating for years. It's a variation on a Greek Salad I suppose, but like last week's Mango-Raspberry Dessert, it's my own creation. Serves one to two people, depending on portion size.

Vegetables:
-A handful of organic grape or cherry tomatoes cut in half
-3 to 4 ounces of feta cheese, cubed and crumbled
-A dozen or so black olives, pitted and cut in half (you can substitute green olives if you prefer)
-1 baby cucumber, sliced thick or thin, depending on your preference

Herbs and seasonings:
-Sprigs of fresh oregano, thyme, sage, and/or marjoram
-Cold pressed organic olive oil, drizzled
-Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Brand Name or Country of Origin?

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:55:00 +0000

FSB Associates, a PR company I've worked with in the past recently sent me a book to review, The Coming China Wars: Where They Will Be Fought and How They Can Be Won. While the title is a bit long and it isn't really descriptive of what's inside, it's an interesting book that offers insight into "The China Price"--cheap goods--and how China has become such a manufacturing superpower if you will. I'll be posting the review on Marigold Lane in the coming weeks.

I've only made it through the first couple of chapters, but one point that struck a chord was the way most people buy products, by brand name. I've never been one that's been swayed by brand names and marketing (I don't even watch TV!), so it's not hard for me to buy by country of origin instead of brand. In fact, the other day I bought a few items from Cooking.com and specifically bought products that were NOT made in China. And this was before reading The Coming China Wars.

With the recalls and scares about poisoned pet food and toothpaste, lead in toys and clothing, tainted seafood, and fake medicines, I have become much more conscious of where products come from. I religiously search everything I buy for the "Made in...". You would be surprised that so much of our food--including frozen fruits and vegetables--comes from China. It may seem like I have a personal vendetta against Made in China, but I don't. What scares me is that a disproportionate number of products that are made there are tainted, defective, and downright dangerous.

In the age of Internet everything should be taken with a grain of salt, but after reading this book you may never want to buy anything from China again. And the things you do have, you will want to chuck in the trash. Granted, the author may have injected some of his personal and political views into the book, nonetheless it's a wake up call for the American people.

EAT: Mango-Raspberry Dessert

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:30:00 +0000

This isn't really a cooking or recipe blog, but food is part of healthy living, so from time to time I'll be posting recipes like mashed sweet potatoes or today's summer dessert feature: Mango-Raspberry Delight. It's easy to make, takes only minutes, is sure to impress impress your guests.

In fact, I actually just made it up a few minutes ago. Feel free to substitute ingredients as well. Not only is cooking a terrific stress reducer, it's about having fun and being creative!

Serves 1 or 2, depending on the size of the mango!

1 mango, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries (thawed)
1 to 2 teaspoons of shredded coconut
Ground cinnamon to taste
Mint leaf garnish

More terrific recipes from: The Kitchen

Saying No to Plastic

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:20:00 +0000

Sad to say, we live in a plastic society and this is a tough one to conquer. Although my family lives a fairly green lifestyle, I am still amazed at the number of household items we own that are made from plastic, and lately I've taken some steps to eliminate plastic from our lives.

What I've done to get rid of the plastic in our house is eliminate the vinyl shower curtain liner and replaced it with a linen one. I'm on the hunt for a natural tub mat, but I'm not sure one exists. I may have to compromise for now because I need an extra long mat for safety reasons. I've replaced plastic juice pitchers and plastic food storage containers with glass ones. I highly recommend these 40.5 ounce (1.25 qt.) Frigoverre pitchers (made in Italy by Bormioli Rocco) and these round Pyrex glass storage containers from Corning, made in the USA.

I have also tried to cut down significantly on plastic toys, a more difficult but not impossible task these days. Melissa & Doug have a lot of wood play items such as the Fold & Go Barn and Portable Dollhouse, both of which I purchased for my girls. Plan Toys is another eco-friendly company that makes play sets from a renewable resource, plantation grown rubber trees.

I also bought a natural rubber yoga mat, which is absolutely fantastic. What have you done to eliminate plastic from your life?

The Natural Mom's Top Five List

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:58:00 +0000

1. Composting Kitchen Scraps
This is my latest effort and I tell you, I'm loving it. I have a small stainless steel bucket with a top and all of my kitchen scraps go in there, but no dairy and no meat and I don't put bread in there either.

2. Making My Own Yogurt
I've been making my own yogurt for more than 20 years (here's where I freak out and think OMG, has it been that long???). Here's how you too can make your own yogurt. It's easy. Trust me!

3. Growing My Own Herbs
I grow all my own herbs in containers. I'm fortunate to have a sunny south facing sunroom where I can grow herbs in the winter despite living in a northern, and not so sunny climate. The bonus is that we have fresh herbs all year long and I'm teaching my kids about growing our own food.

4. Using Natural Cleaning Products and Supplies
For years my cleaning arsenal consisted of baking soda, vinegar, and ammonia. I've recently started using eco-friendly cleaning products like Method and Mrs. Meyer's products too, which smell wonderful and sometimes I make my own natural cleaning supplies. I confess since having children however, I've added bleach to my cleaning supplies for disinfectant purposes mainly because I don't really care if my clothes are the whitest of white. I'm looking onto bleach alternatives. Any ideas?

5. And soon...I will begin baking my own bread.

Back to Natural Ingredients I Say

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:40:00 +0000

I haven't been keeping up with this blog and for that I sincerely apologize! I have however, been working on my other blog, The Eco-Modernist, Modern Design with a Conscience, as well as Marigold Lane, but as I tell my kids, "I can only do 18 things at once!" Just kidding of course...sort of.

At any rate, I rarely rant about anything with the exception of an essay I wrote about soy that I titled, Soylent Green: Invasion Of The Soybean. You can read it here if you wish. What brought me to rant today is yet again the mighty soybean. I rarely eat bread but I've been buying Pepperidge Farm Sandwich loaf for my kids' grilled cheese sandwiches. I know, I know...wheat or multi-grain is better for you but it just doesn't taste like grilled cheese if you know what I mean.

So today I opened up a fresh loaf and noticed that the bread had a different consistency to it. Immediately I became suspicious and checked the label. Sure enough more soy! Grr. Our food sources are being contaminated with bacteria like E. coli and salmonella every day--spinach, tomatoes, and cantaloupes. Our foods are being contaminated with useless ingredients and fillers. I feel like we are being poisoned all in the name of the almighty dollar. I decided then and there I would learn how to bake my own bread, even if I had to use a bread maker. One more thing to add to my list but definitely worth it, don't you think?

Giving Up Coffee for Green Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:22:00 +0000

I'm not a really big coffee drinker, but I do like the taste of it--provided I add lots of cream and sugar! Every so often though, I feel that my coffee drinking has become too much of a habit and decide to quit. While numerous studies have shown that drinking coffee in moderation is not necessarily a bad thing for most of us, quitting the coffee habit has benefits too.

According to Nicholas Perricone, M.D, a dermatologist who has written several books on the role diet plays on skin care and health substituting green tea for coffee will help you lose weight. Skip the sugar and your skin will look better too. Those are two pretty powerful motivating factors for most of us.

Apparently it's not the caffeine that isn't so good for you, but some other substance because green tea contains caffeine unless of course you drink the decaffeinated variety. Drinking coffee elevates two hormones called cortisol and insulin, which can lead to weight gain. Studies also show that adding a few tablespoons of vinegar to the diet every day will help you lose weight too.

Say No to the All You Can Eat Buffet

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:32:00 +0000

They call it the French Paradox Redux or why Americans seem to get fatter than French people do. It seems that it's not about lifestyle so much as perception and thinking patterns. In other words, when they feel hungry they stop eating. Simple, right? It reminds me of why moms should breastfeed their babies. Breastfed babies tend to stop nursing when they are full and not when the bottle is finished.

At any rate, Americans are forever eating low fat this and diet that when French foods like pate, brie, and croissants are way(!!!) more laden with fat. According to a study at Cornell University that compared Parisians to Chicagoans, the latter were less likely to stop eating until there was no food left on the plate, their beverage is finished, or the TV show is over. In other words, this sample population of Americans is relying on external cues to signal when to finish their meals. This same use of external clues also applies to the overweight among us.

Of course the Supersize Me and All You Can Eat Buffet food culture doesn't help, but that wasn't mentioned in the study--nor was the taste factor included. I know that personally speaking if food tastes really good I am less likely to stop eating it even if I am full, but I'm guessing that's part of another study.

Mind, Body, and Soul: Benefits of Yoga

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:30:00 +0000

It has been nearly 8 years since I set foot in a yoga studio, but last week I did just that. Part of the get back to being me lifestyle change this year I suppose, that and sleeping 8 hours a night, which by the way I have been pretty good about so far. When I first decided to take yoga I really had no idea what it was. I thought everyone sat around relaxing and meditating.

Boy was I wrong but in a completely wonderful way. Yes, yoga is relaxing but it also strengthens the body, makes it more flexible, and like most forms of exercise is a terrific stress reliever. It does all this through a series of asanas or active poses, breathing exercises or pranayamas, which are passive poses.

What I like best about taking a yoga class however is that I feel like I am back in touch with my body. Instead of feeling hunched over from sitting at a computer all day, I'm sitting straighter and standing taller. My stomach is more taut, my legs stronger, and even the face peering out at me from the mirror appears more relaxed than it was before class.

Yogurt is Good for You

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:31:00 +0000

I don't care for milk, but I adore yogurt and have been eating since the late 1970s. Why? Because it tastes good! Honest. And, I prefer plain (no sugar added) yogurt mixed with berries (fresh or frozen) or sometimes, fresh pineapple, flax seed oil, and honey. Mmm, mmm, good. You can even make your own yogurt!

Of course, yogurt, which is nothing more than bacteria, is also good for you health-wise because it contains calcium and is a probiotic. Probiotics are foods like yogurt, kefir, and these Attune Wellness Bars that contain live bacterial cultures.

Recently some Japanese scientists discovered that yogurt contains bacteria that reduce the bacteria that cause bad breath--you know those volatile sulfide compounds referred to as hydrogen sulfide. Just six weeks of yogurt eating reduced the levels of these compounds by 80%. And, as if that news wasn't good enough, eating yogurt also helps with keeping plaque at bay.

Is 8 Hours of Sleep Really Necessary?

noreply@blogger.com (Heleigh Bostwick) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:08:00 +0000

I'm not obsessed with sleep, I swear(!), but did you know that back in the days before electricity allowed us to extend the day into night people often slept for 10 hours? People also led a more physical existence than today so they were tired. Today I think we're more tired mentally than physically. After all, many of us spend our days behind a desk tapping away at a computer.

At any rate, sleep is a must and most of us are sleep deprived, sleeping less than we think we do. Not getting enough sleep has been linked to health problems for women, including hypertension or high blood pressure, potentially leading to cardiovascular disease and weight gain in both men and women.

On the flip side, sleeping too many hours is not so groovy either. It appears that sleeping within the zone of 7 to 8 hours is what we need. I've also read that our bodies have natural sleepy times, notably at 10PM and again at 12 AM midnight. For us working stiffs that would mean we'd better be in bed asleep around 10-10:30 at night in order to rise and shine at 6 the next morning bright eyed, bushy tailed.