Thoughts About Health

Fruits and Vegetables Are Nature's Perfect Convenience Food

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:59:40 PDT

Fruits and vegetables provide the unrivaled combination of great taste, nutrition, abundant variety, and multiple product forms.

A Diet Rich in Colorful Fruits and Vegetables

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 24 May 2011 07:04:09 PDT

Try eating a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables. The potential benefits associated with eating more fruits and vegetables stack up quickly - - reducing your risk of chronic diseases is only the beginning.

Fruits and Vegetables Rich in Vital Nutrients

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:53:21 PDT

The following categories of fruits and vegetables are important to eat at least several times a week for their nutritional benefits:

Dark green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and leaf lettuces.

Orange vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots.

Starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn.

Yogurt

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 11 May 2011 11:59:34 PDT

Yogurt comes from milk, so you benefit from the calcium, vitamin B2, B12, potassium and magnesium. Yogurt provides amino acids that your muscles need for repair. Yogurt also contains "good" bacteria which can benefit the digestive tract.

Garlic

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 11 May 2011 11:54:38 PDT

Research has shown that garlic improves cardiovascular health by lowering blood triglycerides and total cholesterol. Garlic has also been shown to help fight allergies with its antiviral properties.

Avocado

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:19:36 PDT

The fats found in avocados have been shown to maintain good cholesterol while reducing bad cholesterol. The high fat content helps you start feeling full faster. In addition, research has showed that avocados aid in better nutrient absorption.

Almonds

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:15:16 PDT

Monounsaturated fats have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease. Almonds are rich in this type of fat. Almonds are also high in protein, and rich in Vitamin E and magnesium.

Salmon

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:10:38 PDT

A four ounce serving of wild salmon provides an entire day's requirement of Vitamin D, as well as over half a day's B12, niacin and selenium. It is also extremely high in protein and "good fat." Omega-3 fats have been proven to reduce inflammation in our bodies, which can be the root of many health problems.

Cappuccino Pie

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:13:38 PDT

Delicious Dessert made with Tofu

Click on image for a larger view.

Be Safe With Prepared Food

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:14:30 PDT

Product Refrigerator And Freezer Storage Recommendation Chart

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:34:20 PDT

Click on the chart for a larger image.

Raw Food Recommended Cooked Temperatures

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:27:26 PDT

Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers within 2 hours or sooner.

Click on Cooked Temperature Chart for a larger image.

Exercise

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:48:34 PDT

This handy chart gives calories burned per hour at given activity level. Click on the chart for a larger image.

Serving Size And What Does It Mean

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:53:06 PDT

This handy chart gives serving size equivalents. Click on the chart to see a larger image.

Burning Calories

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:50:22 PDT

The Lazy way or The Lose-It Way

Using the remote to change the tv channel: 0.6 calories-Getting up to change the channel:
3 calories

Hiring someone to clean your house: 0 calories-Vacuuming for 30 minutes: 115 calories

Taking the elevator up 3 flights of stairs: 0.3 calories-Walking up 3 flights of stairs: 15 calories

Opening the back door to let the dog out: 2 calories-Walking the dog for 30 minutes: 125 calories

Shopping online for one hour: 30 calories-Shopping at the mall for one hour: 240 calories

Creamy Deviled Eggs

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:50:22 PDT

Ingredients:

12 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled
1/4 to 1/3 cup low-fat evaporated milk
3-1/2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Paprika

Cut eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks and place in a medium-sized bowl. Mash well with a fork or pastry blender. Add evaporated milk, mayonnaise and mustard. Stir until creamy. Spoon or pipe into egg-white shells. Sprinkle with paprika.

Variations:

Dill Deviled Eggs: Add 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh dill. Eliminate the paprika.

Curried Deviled Eggs: Eliminate Dijon mustard. Use 1/3 cup of evaporated milk and add 1-1/4 teaspoons of curry powder.

Soy Delicious Strawberry Shakes

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:21:01 PDT

2 cups soy milk or rice milk
4 medium ripe bananas
1 pint hulled strawberries
2 tablespoons honey

Combine the milk, bananas, strawberries, and honey in a blender. Blend on high speed for 1 minute or until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses and serve with straws. Serves 4

This recipe can also be used to make frozen pops.

Tofu Key Lime Pie

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:50:22 PDT

1 9-inch graham cracker pie crust-store bought or your own

12 oz firm tofu

1/3 cup powdered sugar

2 Tbsp Key lime juice

Zest of 1 large lime

In food processor, puree the tofu until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and Key lime juice. Continue to puree until smooth.

Pour into crust. Garnish with lime zest. Refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.

Sage

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:50:22 PDT

Growing up to 3 feet tall, sage gives off a powerful, distinctive fragrance. This thickly branching, shrub-like plant produces dense shoots with velvety gray-green leaves. Sage should be planted in rich, well-drained soil in a sunny location.

Sage is native to the Mediterranean region. Its name comes from the Latin salvare, which roughly translates as "to rescue" or "to heal."

Uses: sage tea, sage vinegar, spice and a sage pillow.

Lemon-Balm Oil

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:50:48 PDT

Also known as melissa, lemon-balm originated in the Near East. Benedictine missionaries first brought this herb to the West, planting it in kitchen gardens all over Europe. American colonists also used lemon-balm as a medicine and as a flavoring agent. It is said that Thomas Jefferson grew the plant at Monticello. The name lemon-balm can be attributed to the lemony scent of its nettle-like leaves. Similarly, its nickname melissa, which means "honeybee" in Greek is also a tribute to its distinctive fragrance, which attracts swarms of bees to the plant.

Today this oil is used for aromatherapy regimens, among other things. Add a couple of drops of lemon-balm oil to a diffuser to promote relaxation.

Many products labeled "lemon-balm oil" do not contain the real lemon-balm, but cheaper substitutes, such as lemon oil or lemongrass. Make sure the term "100 percent lemon-balm oil" is clearly printed on the label.

Protein

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:50:48 PDT

Protein plays a role in helping you feel satisfied. A study at the University of Washington School of Medicine found that participants felt less hungry when their daily protein intake was increased from 15 to 30% of their total calories. Eating lean sources of protein as part of a healthy diet was key to the findings.

In my opinion, never go to bed hungry. It will keep you awake. The calories you take in at night can be burned off later. Sounds crazy, but I have a large bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds cereal (my favorite) with some fruit and plenty of non fat milk before I go to bed. Works for me...

Organic

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:50:48 PDT

Does Organic make a difference? The latest research says it can. A State of Science Review from the Organic Center for Education and Promotion suggests that a shift toward organic production and food processing can play an important role in increasing antioxidant levels in fresh produce and other foods we eat.

As scientists continue to conduct research, consumers can take the following steps to increase the health value of the foods they eat:

Select more organic fruits and vegetables.

Choose fruits and vegetables with the highest available levels of antioxidants: blueberries, plums, blackberries, strawberries, red cabbage, sweet cherries, leaf lettuce, spinach, and apples as well as processed tomato products.

Consume organic fruits and vegetables with their skins on and at their peak ripeness.

Vegetarian Options

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:58:34 PDT

Categories:

A VEGAN eats beans and legumes, fruits, grains, nuts, and nut butters, seeds and vegetables.

AN OVO-VEGETARIAN adds eggs to the diet.

AN OVO-LACTO-VEGETARIAN includes eggs and dairy.

THE PESCO-VEGETARIAN eats fish.

THE SEMI-VEGETARIAN or FLEXITARIAN includes poultry, fish and sometimes even a bit of red meat, but mainly sticks with plant foods and meatless meals.

Protein is made up of combinations of 28 assorted amino acids, 8 of which are "essential" which means your body can't make them so you have to get them from your food. Meat, fish, chicken and dairy products (such as milk yogurt and cheese) are called "complete proteins" because they contain all 8 essential amino acids. But what if someone follows a plant-based diet?

While soybeans may be the only source of complete protein in the veggie kingdom, eating a variety of other plant foods can provide all the amino acids needed to make complete protein. A Mexican style meal containing beans, corn and rice is an excellent example.

Vitamin C

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:50:48 PDT

The top food choices for vitamin C in the U.S. are oranges and orange juice. However, some other foods contain even more of this important nutrient.

One cup of strawberries, one bell pepper (red and yellow contain more vitamin C than green ones), one kiwifruit, half a papaya, or one cup of cooked broccoli or Brussels sprouts each provide the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C.

Cumin

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:51:12 PDT

Cumin has been adding flavor to food since early ancient times. Most commonly available as a ground spice, cumin's warm, nutty taste is popular in Middle Eastern, Mexican and Mediterranean cooking.

Add to soups, stews, sauces and chili for aromatic flavor.