Everywhere we look, read; hear it is all about anti-aging and how we can look and feel younger. I for one endorse the Dove ads, I love my age and every little imperfection I have gathered on my journey called life. However, I am really interested in living longer (which includes being healthy) and feeling better, so I started on this journey of changing my habits of eating and looking into what foods and supplements would make me feel and look better and of course live longer and healthier.
My first reservation with eating healthy was, how can I do this and still live, work and play in this world that rotates around fast food and the on the go lifestyle, so I was interested in what I could carry with me just incase I wasn't at home when it was meal time and avoid that "I'll just go thru the drive thru" syndrome.
Today's topic is going to be about nuts: Not all nuts are created equal, I am only going to discuss the ones that are beneficial (from my research) and that have the most healthy benefits, also please remember that the nuts should be eaten raw and unsalted, and yes, I know that doesn't sound like the roasted, salted deluxe nut mix we are use to, but when you read the benefits you will reap by eating these healthy anti-aging gems, you will just go yummy.
ALMONDS: This nut actually lowers blood cholesterol levels, and 90% of the fats in almonds are unsaturated, they help prevent osteoporosis and the regulate blood pressure; they are considered a well-balanced food. Studies have shown they can contribute to lower the risk of cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and other chronic illnesses. Almonds are considered to be the most nutritious of all nuts.
WALNUTS: They are one of the best plant sources of protein. Walnuts have high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which help in the risk of heart disease by improving blood vessel elasticity and plaque accumulation. The suggested amount of walnuts per day is 1.5oz or about 20 halves, eat them in place of other snacks not in addition to and they can remain a very healthy snack.
HAZELNUTS: These nuts are very high in Vitamin E, which again is a protection against heart diseases and cancer; also Vitamin E is an anti-aging supplement both for inside and outside the body. You can also use hazelnut oil for your cooking and salads. It has been said that if cancer is already formed in the body, Hazelnuts then can fight to defuse the harmful cells.
PECANS: This is one the more elegant nuts, and is known best for pecan pie, with that said, this will not include pecan pie, but will give much more healthful benefits. Once again this nut is exceptional to reduce heart disease and coronary artery disease. Pecans are rich in oleic acid, which is also found in olive oil, which can discourage the triggering of breast cancer. Pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts contain the highest antioxidant levels of all nuts.
So the next time you head out the door, or better yet just keep a supply tightly sealed in the car, grab a packet of nuts to munch on and have ready for the kids, wife, husband, friend and who ever else rides in your car to snack on, and you will be doing your body the biggest gift of all and it will thank you by performing in a healthy glowing way and for a very long healthy time.
Thought for the day: "The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas." -Linus Pauling-
My life is a work in progress; my current passion is health and wellness in the arena of organic food, holistic health, natural wellness and sharing information with the physically challenged. I reside in my own personal wellness center retreat and sanctuary in California and this affords me to bring to you my wisdom, knowledge and spiritual self in my writings Darlene Siddons Spirited Boutique
Showing posts with label organic eating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic eating. Show all posts
September 27, 2007
Stress Eraser - Can Stress Make You Fat?
The simple answer to this question is yes? We are going to look at some reasons why this is so and then I want you look into your lives and see if any of these reasons/things apply to you and your lifestyle.
Emotional eating: Now that could really be called stressful eating, when we are lonely, tired, stressed or hit with something that makes us uncomfortable many of us think of food to fix it and make us feel "comfortable". This could also be just the stress of everyday non-stoppable lifestyle and eating on the run and not really watching what and when we eat.
Then there are some of us that when we get stressed we completely loose our appetites, that is because the first chemical produced when we encounter stress is corticotrophin and then the other brain chemicals kick in and that is when we get the urge to eat.
That is why this information is so important to you, so when you are hit with stressful times you know what is happening to your body and you can deal positively with the effects rather than go eat. Go for a walk, do some pushups, go to the beach, listen to some music, do a few yoga poses, meditate, anything that will put your body, mind and soul into balance again.
There are two types of fat that your bodies store, first there is the peripheral fat which stores right below the skin, which might not look as good, as it is the fat that shows up on your thighs and legs, it is not as dangerous though as visceral fat which is stored around the belly. Visceral fat puts you in higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and inflammation.
With this information, you can see that just counting calories and food intake isn't all that counts, yes the food we take in is very important, however, our lifestyle is also very import. With this information you will also know that when you are stressed and feel the urge to eat and know you really aren't and/or shouldn't be hungry, to just wait a few moments and the hungry urge will subside.
What is important is to keep both the food and the stress in complete balance, which will keep our bodies healthy and our minds clear.
Thought for the Day: "He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul's estate. –Henry David Thoreau-
Emotional eating: Now that could really be called stressful eating, when we are lonely, tired, stressed or hit with something that makes us uncomfortable many of us think of food to fix it and make us feel "comfortable". This could also be just the stress of everyday non-stoppable lifestyle and eating on the run and not really watching what and when we eat.
Then there are some of us that when we get stressed we completely loose our appetites, that is because the first chemical produced when we encounter stress is corticotrophin and then the other brain chemicals kick in and that is when we get the urge to eat.
That is why this information is so important to you, so when you are hit with stressful times you know what is happening to your body and you can deal positively with the effects rather than go eat. Go for a walk, do some pushups, go to the beach, listen to some music, do a few yoga poses, meditate, anything that will put your body, mind and soul into balance again.
There are two types of fat that your bodies store, first there is the peripheral fat which stores right below the skin, which might not look as good, as it is the fat that shows up on your thighs and legs, it is not as dangerous though as visceral fat which is stored around the belly. Visceral fat puts you in higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and inflammation.
With this information, you can see that just counting calories and food intake isn't all that counts, yes the food we take in is very important, however, our lifestyle is also very import. With this information you will also know that when you are stressed and feel the urge to eat and know you really aren't and/or shouldn't be hungry, to just wait a few moments and the hungry urge will subside.
What is important is to keep both the food and the stress in complete balance, which will keep our bodies healthy and our minds clear.
Thought for the Day: "He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul's estate. –Henry David Thoreau-
BODY INFLAMMATION - Speed up Energy
REDUCE INFLAMMATION – Speed up Energy
What is inflammation?
Definition of inflammation: Response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat. Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation and may be referred to as the innate cascade.
INFLAMMATION is a process by which the body's white blood cells protect us from infection such as bacteria and viruses. In some cases, however, the body's immune system inappropriately triggers an inflammatory response when there isn't any substance to fight off. This what is called autoimmune disease, when the body's normal protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues.
WHAT does all this mean….our bodies are continuously under attach from environmental toxins, pollutants and germs, the immune system is our bodies natural defense mechanism against these attackers. The immune systems job is to protect the body against these foreign invaders. The cells from the spleen, lymph nodes, liver, bone marrow, lungs and intestines are part of the immune system and help to dispose of pollutants in the blood. Studies have shown that changes in diet, lifestyle and exercise can reduce inflammation. A diet in high fiber, olive oil, lower in saturated fats, high in omega-3 fats all reduce inflammation.
IMAGINE just changing the way one eats, what one eats, exercising, controlling stress (info on stress can be found at http://lifeisapicnic.wordpress.com/) and eating organic fruits and vegetables and also eating seafood and meats that are toxin free.
LIFESTYLES that could cause inflammation are smoking, poor nutrition, lack of sleep and excessive sun exposure. Inflammation has been linked to many things that we associate with aging, including wrinkles, arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Much inflammation can be reduced or prevented by changing your habits and environment or following an inflammation-reducing diet which can be found at http://www.spiritedboutique.com/ in the book section.
What is inflammation?
Definition of inflammation: Response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat. Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation and may be referred to as the innate cascade.
INFLAMMATION is a process by which the body's white blood cells protect us from infection such as bacteria and viruses. In some cases, however, the body's immune system inappropriately triggers an inflammatory response when there isn't any substance to fight off. This what is called autoimmune disease, when the body's normal protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues.
WHAT does all this mean….our bodies are continuously under attach from environmental toxins, pollutants and germs, the immune system is our bodies natural defense mechanism against these attackers. The immune systems job is to protect the body against these foreign invaders. The cells from the spleen, lymph nodes, liver, bone marrow, lungs and intestines are part of the immune system and help to dispose of pollutants in the blood. Studies have shown that changes in diet, lifestyle and exercise can reduce inflammation. A diet in high fiber, olive oil, lower in saturated fats, high in omega-3 fats all reduce inflammation.
IMAGINE just changing the way one eats, what one eats, exercising, controlling stress (info on stress can be found at http://lifeisapicnic.wordpress.com/) and eating organic fruits and vegetables and also eating seafood and meats that are toxin free.
LIFESTYLES that could cause inflammation are smoking, poor nutrition, lack of sleep and excessive sun exposure. Inflammation has been linked to many things that we associate with aging, including wrinkles, arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Much inflammation can be reduced or prevented by changing your habits and environment or following an inflammation-reducing diet which can be found at http://www.spiritedboutique.com/ in the book section.
September 21, 2007
Health and Wellness Begins with Eating the Right Foods
OUR busy lives and schedules create a rush, rush mentality to out days, and our health and wellness is placed second or even third on our priorities and our first inclination is to give up breakfast, and it is true what they have been saying for years.....breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. Also, what we have for breakfast is very important....a good meal on the go is a homemade smoothie with wholesome fresh organic foods in it. My daily smoothie consists of ground flax seeds, filtered water, fresh blueberries, banana, flax and borage oil, acai berry powder, enerze vitamin c powder, rice protein powder and ice, then blend this until completely blended and you have a perfect start to your day
I HAVE found for my health and wellness I like to eat my dinner and/or main meal at lunch, as then I have all day to actively process it, and I love to "snack" in the evening, so I fix my snack foods for the evening. Now this is healthy whole foods, not chips and dips.
These usually consist of organic fresh fruit, raw unsalted nuts, hummus with rice crackers, or avocado with rice crackers, this makes me think I am snacking rather than eating a meal, find whatever makes you feel good so you stick with it and don't get the urge to eat unhealthy...that which feeds your mind, body, soul.
CHOCOLATE is very healthy for your health and wellness, there is a catch though, it needs to be at least 70% cocoa and dark chocolate which comes with very limited sugar in it, and I find that takes care of my sweet tooth and my cravings for dessert/chocolate. I always say it isn't dessert unless it is chocolate. Of course this is eaten in moderation, one or two little squares soothes my dessert needs.
ANOTHER important health and wellness tip is water, it is so important to drink lots of water and keep the body flushed out of the toxins we take in, just by living and being in this world.
YOU CAN find the detailed eating plan at http://www.spiritedboutique.com/ in the book section, the book is by Mark Hyman, MD, The Ultimate Metabolism Diet, I highly recommend it.
Sucessful Health and Wellness to you and yours,
Darlene Siddons
I HAVE found for my health and wellness I like to eat my dinner and/or main meal at lunch, as then I have all day to actively process it, and I love to "snack" in the evening, so I fix my snack foods for the evening. Now this is healthy whole foods, not chips and dips.
These usually consist of organic fresh fruit, raw unsalted nuts, hummus with rice crackers, or avocado with rice crackers, this makes me think I am snacking rather than eating a meal, find whatever makes you feel good so you stick with it and don't get the urge to eat unhealthy...that which feeds your mind, body, soul.
CHOCOLATE is very healthy for your health and wellness, there is a catch though, it needs to be at least 70% cocoa and dark chocolate which comes with very limited sugar in it, and I find that takes care of my sweet tooth and my cravings for dessert/chocolate. I always say it isn't dessert unless it is chocolate. Of course this is eaten in moderation, one or two little squares soothes my dessert needs.
ANOTHER important health and wellness tip is water, it is so important to drink lots of water and keep the body flushed out of the toxins we take in, just by living and being in this world.
YOU CAN find the detailed eating plan at http://www.spiritedboutique.com/ in the book section, the book is by Mark Hyman, MD, The Ultimate Metabolism Diet, I highly recommend it.
Sucessful Health and Wellness to you and yours,
Darlene Siddons
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