Striving4Zen

Here's what you'll need:

3/4 cup coffee beans
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cloves

Step 1: Put coffee beans, powdered clove and brown sugar in a coffee grinder.
Step 2: Grind coarsely, put in empty tub or Tupperware container and mix a little more.
Step 3: Add vanilla and oil and mix. Feel free to add more olive oil, but do it slowly, as it's easy to go overboard!

By being able to control the sizes of the particles in the scrub, you decide how rough you want it. The oil really does the trick in terms of keeping your limbs smooth. I shaved after using it, and my legs are super-smooth and soft, so don't be afraid to keep it a little chunky.

Source

Labels: body scrub, coffee, DIY, food, olive oil, skin care

If you're working on getting more protein in your diet, but are concerned about getting too much cholesterol and saturated fat from beef, then tempeh is a great alternative.

Tempeh has a firm texture and a delicious nutty, mushroomy flavor.

Tempeh is very nutritous and contains many health promoting phytochemicals such as isoflavones and soy saponins. Tempeh fermentation produces natural antibiotic agents but leaves the desirable soy isoflavones and most of the saponins intact. Tempeh is a complete protein food that contains all the essential amino acids. The soy protein and isoflavones have many health benefits. Isoflavones strengthen bones, help to ease menopause symptoms, reduce risk of coronary hearth disease and some cancers. Tempeh maintains all the fiber of the beans and gains some digestive benefits from the enzymes created during the fermentation process.

So, EAT UP!

Labels: eating healthy, health food, phytonutrients, protein, soy isoflavones, tempeh

Cell-nique is a "super green" beverage formulated to fight the effects of acidic build up by promoting the cleansing and detoxification of cells through an infusion of plant-based phyto-nutrients and antioxidants.

Cell-nique embraces Chinese and Ayurveda theories about integrating the physical, spiritual, mental and emotional aspects of healing by offering proper balanced nutrition in a ready-to-drink beverage. Cell-nique's formula comes in five flavors: Pomegranate, Tropical, Kukicha Tea, Citrus Vanilla and Apple. Every bottle is labeled with a healing Yantra and Mantra-such as "I embody wisdom and inner peace"-that serves as a tool for contemplation and meditation, thus embracing the philosophy that our thoughts and words also greatly affect our health.

Cell-nique has 31 super foods to help meet our daily requirement of 8 -10 servings of fruits and vegetables.

"With today's busy modern lifestyle people rarely have time to ensure they are getting the nutrition necessary for sustaining energy and immunity," said Dan Ratner, Founder of Cell-nique. "Medical research is proving the food-mind-body-spirit connection and Western society is beginning to understand the Eastern belief that a healthy body and spirit are the foundations of a journey to true well-being."

Cell-nique is made with organic and natural super green foods such as Spirulina, Chlorella and Blue-green algae as well as cereal grass juices and sprouts like barley, wheat, oats and alfalfa. It also contains the high anti-oxidant super fruits like Noni, Goji berry, and Acai. These ingredients have more nutrients than common vegetables, fruits and grains, and drinking a single bottle of Cell-nique provides the equivalent nutrients found in roughly seven salads.

Source

Labels: algae, beverages, Cell-nique, chlorella, Dan Ratner, drinks, spirulina

Think you have the healthy lifestyle down?

Then slow the aging process with these up-and-coming plant-based ingredients.

Argan oil

Argan oil, made from the nuts of a Moroccan tree species, contains twice as much vitamin E as olive oil. Like other antioxidants, vitamin E slows the damaging effects of free radicals — molecules in your body that start attacking and breaking down healthy cells when exposed to environmental stressors, such as ultraviolet rays and car exhaust. Argan oil is also rich in squalene, a compound that promotes collagen production. Look for argan oil in ingredients lists, or cook with this slightly nutty oil. Because argan trees are a threatened species, make sure that any product you buy comes from sustainably harvested nuts.

Find it in: L'uvalla Age-Defying Day & Night Moisturizing Cream; Pangea Organics Italian Red Mandarin with Rose Facial Cream.

Astaxanthin

To keep those crow's feet under control, get in the habit of putting on sunscreen — every day. Using sunscreen is the “number-one thing” you can do to stop premature aging, says Goldin. Still, not all sunscreens are created equal. Check for creams that contain physical blocks like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as well as astaxanthin, a carotenoid harvested from microalgae (it's also found in salmon). This antioxidant packs a double punch: Not only does it protect cells from future damage when applied before sun exposure, but it also shores up skin after a day outside by fighting off oxidative damage.

Find it in: Derma E Anti-Aging Moisturizing Complex with SPF 15; MyChelle Dermaceuticals Perfect C Serum.

Red tea

The skin care aisle is flooded with salves and moisturizers that contain green tea — and for good reason — but over the next couple of years, red will become the new green. Recent studies show that red tea, also called rooibos (pronounced “ROY-boss”), contains nearly 50 percent more skin-salvaging antioxidants than green tea. Bonus: This South African tea is caffeine-free and packed with zinc, a mineral that helps the body metabolize fatty acids and keep cells plump.

Find it in: Jason Red Elements Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15. Or sip Honest Tea Pomegranate Red Tea with Goji Berry.

Turmeric

The spice that makes mustard and curry yellow, turmeric is one of nature's most powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herbs. Curcumin, a naturally occurring chemical in the spice, slows down the aging process by fighting inflammation-causing proteins called cytokines. Don't like Indian food? Turmeric is just as effective in supplement form.

Find it in: Avalon Organics Lavender Moisture Plus Lotion with SPF 18. Or take 500 mg turmeric capsules three times per day, after eating.

Source

Labels: anti-aging, Argan, argan oil, astaxanthin, curcumin, natural products, red tea, rooibos, skin care, turmeric

Labels: healthy food, living holistically, serotonin, sleep, tryptophan

A new site called The Good Guide lets you search thousands of household products to find out how they might impact your health, the environment, and society.

GoodGuide provides the world's largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home.

Check It Out!

Labels: cool new site, health information, The Good Guide

Choline is part of the B vitamin complex. But researchers estimate the average choline intake in the U.S. is only about 315 mg per day – well below the recommended adequate intake (AI) of 425 mg per day for women and 550 mg per day for men. This is a concern because choline deficiency can play a role in raising homocysteine – the amino acid that promotes plaque buildup on artery walls.

What can high-choline foods do for you?

• Keep your cell membranes, the gates through which nutrients enter and wastes leave your cells, functioning properly
• Allow your nerves to communicate with your muscles
• Prevent the build-up of homocysteine in your blood. Homocysteine is a harmful compound that is associated with cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
• Reduce chronic inflammation

What events can indicate a need for more high-choline foods?

• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Poor ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine
• Accumulation of fats in the blood
• Nerve-muscle problems

Food sources of choline include soybeans, egg yolk, butter, peanuts, potatoes, cauliflower, lentils, oats, sesame seeds and flax seeds.

Source

Labels: b-vitamins, choline, eating healthy, fatigue, healthy diet

The Body Deli was created in the resort town of Palm Desert, California in 2002 by “Cosmetic Chefs” David Parker and Margaret Skarin. David, a Northern California native, moved to the Coachella Valley after selling a successful day spa business. Margaret Skarin, who was a beauty foodie, had built local notoriety behind her homemade beauty line for the body, Blue Lotus Organics. They met through a mutual friend and the beginning of a brand was born.

Their bond was immediate, as they shared a common interest in bio-active skincare and natural ingredients. Utilizing David’s strength in developing face products and Margaret’s expertise in developing products specifically for the body, together they began concocting potions using fresh ingredients and local produce available from area farms.

Due to the high demand of their products within the local community, they opened a retail location in Palm Desert. At the front of the store, they installed refrigerated bins to prevent certain market-fresh products from expiring. In addition, they added unique deli-style cases to showcase the variety of product offerings. The product line and signature shop were fittingly named “The Body Deli.” The Body Deli’s unique “deli-style” store concept now includes more than 175 delectable beauty products.

In addition to the retail store in Palm Desert, The Body Deli products are available on the company’s website, www.thebodydeli.com, offering The Body Deli experience worldwide. The popularity of the products has cultivated a loyal customer base, including celebrities such as Alicia Silverstone, Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson.

Labels: food for the face, living holistically, natural health, skin care, The Body Deli

According to the National Honey Board–as well as beauties throughout the ages–honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture, helping to prevent dry skin and dull, lifeless hair. In addition to drawing moisture into the skin, honey is also an antiseptic, which means it inhibits the growth of bacteria, making honey a good choice for all skin types.

In honor of National Honey Month:

Honey Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask
(Adapted from the National Honey Board)

1 teaspoon green tea, brewed
2 teaspoon pineapple, papaya or figs, diced
4 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons aloe vera gel
1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
4 teaspoons cornmeal

1. Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool.

2. In blender or food processor, puree pineapple and place in medium-sized mixing bowl. Add pumpkin, honey and aloe. Mix well.

3. Stir in jojoba oil, green tea and cornmeal.

4. Reserve remaining green tea for another use. Apply small amount of pumpkin mask to cheeks, forehead, chin and neck. Massage in circular motions gently buffing skin. Repeat. Apply more product as needed. Leave a thin layer of pumpkin mask on face and neck for 15-20 minutes.

5. Rinse with tepid or cool water and pat dry with soft towel. Follow with appropriate moisturizer.

6. Store remaining mask covered in refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Source

Labels: beauty, food for dry skin, Holistic Health, honey, mask, skin care

Good posture is important for both looking and feeling your best. Slumping adds not only odd stresses to the spine but can make a body appear heavier, not to mention shorter.

More than just looking long and lean, having good posture is important for the health of your bones and joints. Proper alignment decreases undue wear and tear on the soft tissues, ligaments and cartilage that surround and protect your joints, especially your spine. Plus, if you are slouching you are smooshing (yep, that is the technical term) all your internal organs. It is bad for digestion; your stomach and intestines need plenty of space.

Finding perfect posture is easy. First you want to think of balancing the bones on top of one another like a column starting with your feet on the floor, ending with your skull. I have a posture checklist for you, so read more.

Here's a posture checklist:

1. Stand with your feet under your sits bones (yep those bones that you sit on that are the base of you pelvis). Your feet will only be about one or your own foot widths apart - not very wide. The weight on your feet should be balanced equally between the balls of your feet and your heels, as well as the inside and outside of your feet.

2. Align your pelvis over your feet. Your pelvis should be level. Think of the pelvis like a wide soup bowl and you don't want the soup to spill over the front or the back of the bowl.

3. Keep your ribcage directly over your pelvis. It is a common posture for the ribs to hang back behind the pelvis.

4. Next place your shoulders right over your ribs.

5. The skull should be right over your feet. Your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders - don't thrust your head forward.

For the supreme alignment check-in, stand with your back against the wall (take off your shoes first and try to find a spot with no baseboard) and see how it feels to have your heels, booty, upper back and the back of your head all on the wall. It might feel extreme, but use that as a guide.

Fit's Tip: It really helps to just keep lengthening your spine up and out of your pelvis. One image that helps a lot of slouchers stand tall is to imagine that there is a golden string attached to the top of your head lifting and lengthening your spine.

Source

Labels: good health, posture, proper alignment, stand tall

The average adult uses at least 7 skin-care products a day--cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliators, and serums included. That's a lot of stuff!

To prevent ingredient overload and reduce irritation, Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, advises limiting your skin-care routine to only those items that contain no more than 10 ingredients apiece.

According to Draelos, the fewer ingredients there are in a product, the less likely it is to cause a problem.

"And always wait at least five minutes between each application," says Francesca Fusco, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "Otherwise, you'll dilute the effects of the previous one."

Spread out your morning skin-care routine so your serum has time to sink in before the last hour of the Today show.

Source

Labels: Ingredients, KISS, skin care

If you've already said Yes to Carrots (the line launched internationally in November 2006), get ready to say Yes to Tomatoes and Yes to Cucumbers, as two of the spin-off lines launch in the US this month. The tomato line is formulated with Lycopene, antioxidant red tea, antibacterial red pepper and is best for oily or combination skin. The cucumber line includes healing aloe, green tea, and green pepper to soothe and brighten skin.

At an event to introduce Yes to Cucumbers and Yes to Tomatoes stateside yesterday, CEO Ido Leffler said a major goal of the line is to "bring smiles to people's faces," pointing out that the shampoo bottle instructs you to "shampoo daily on wet hair while singing" (and yes, people have written in to point out that it works whether you are singing or not). To that end, the company has also launched The Seed Fund, which has done everything from set up victims of domestic violence with gardening jobs in Ohio to offering an after-school program for Ethiopian immigrants in Israel. With your cash not only benefiting your looks but also worthwhile causes like these, it's hard to just say no. Thanks!

Labels: food for the face, skin care, Yes to Carrots, Yes To Cucumbers, Yes To Tomatoes

What To Eat When…

You’re Stressed

Modern life is a big, boiling cauldron of anxiety stew, and we get a heaping helping every day. Whether you’re talking to your boss about a promotion, talking to your spouse about the credit cards bills, or talking to your kids about a streak of bad behavior, there’s always a stress-soaked moment around the corner. So calm yourself quick with these natural nerve-settlers.

Eat This:

1 cup of low-fat yogurt; 2 tbsp of nuts
Scientists in Slovakia gave people 3 grams each of two amino acids—lysine and arginine—or a placebo and asked them to deliver a speech. Blood measurements of stress hormones revealed that the amino acid—fortified guys were half as anxious during and after the speech as those who took the placebo. Yogurt is one of the best food sources of lysine and nuts pack tons of arginine.

Red Bell Peppers
Researchers at the University of Alabama fed rats 200 milligrams of vitamin C twice a day and found that it nearly stopped the secretion of stress hormones. Add half a sliced red bell pepper to a salad or sandwich; calorie for calorie, no single food gives you more vitamin C.

A Cup of Peppermint Tea
The scent of peppermint helps you focus and boosts performance, according to researchers. In another study, they found that peppermint makes drivers more alert and less anxious.

A Handful of Sesame Seeds
Stress Hormones can deplete your body’s supply of magnesium, reducing your abilities and increasing your risk of developing high blood pressure. Sesame seeds are packed with this essential mineral.

Not That!

A Can of Soda
A study from the American Journal of Public Health found that people who drink 2 ½ cans of soda daily are three time more likely to be depressed and anxious, compared with those who drink fewer.

You’re Sad

Watch enough TV advertising and you begin to think the only answer to a bad mood is a bottle of pills. Wrong! Your next meal can have as dramatic an impact on your mood as your next prescription refill. So the next time you have a gnawing feeling that something’s amiss, try gnawing on one of these.

Eat This:
An arugula or spinach salad
Leafy greens—arugula, chard, spinach—are rich sources of B vitamins, which are part of the assembly line that manufactures feel-good hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, a lack of B6 can cause nervousness, irritability and even depression.

Tuna Sashimi or Grilled Salmon
A study in Finland found that people who eat more fish are 31% less likely to suffer from depression. And skip sweet, simple carbs (like the rice with you sushi)—the inevitable sugar crash can deepen depression.

1 tbsp of Ground Flaxseed Daily
Flax is the best source of alpha-linoleic acid, or ALA—a healthy fat that improves the working of the cerebral cortex, the area of the brain that processes sensory information, including that of pleasure. To meet your quota, sprinkle it on salads or mix it into a smoothie or shake.

Not That!
White Chocolate
White chocolate isn’t technically chocolate, since it contains no cocoa solids. That means it also lacks the ability to stimulate the euphoria-inducing chemicals that real chocolate does, especially serotonin. If you’re going to grab some chocolate, darker is better; more cacao means more happy chemicals and less sugar, which will eventually pull you down.

Excerpted from Eat This, Not That by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding. Rodale Books, 2007.

Labels: David Zinczenko, Eat This, eating healthy, food and mood, healthy eating, men's health, new book, Not That

With food grade quality ingredients, Intelligent Nutrients products are so natural, you could even drink them. Well, that might be a bit of a stretch, but it's a possibility.

The creator of this relatively new brand feels that what goes on our bodies should be just as safe as what goes in them. Each hair, skin, and body product developed by the company is certified organic and contains a mega anti-oxidant blend that's packed with a punch, including black cumin, pumpkin, red grape, red raspberry, and cranberry seed oils. This all kinda sounds more like the basic components for a festive Thanksgiving dinner, not a spray-on hair detangler.

Founder Horst Rechelbacher explains on the website,

We’ve merged food science and cosmetic chemistry to create a new paradigm in beauty. We called it Nutritional Chemistry—it’s based on using only certified organic food-derived ingredients—substances the body recognizes and readily assimilates as nutrients in the body.

The company also plans to add more products to the collection, such as: body, skin, pet, baby, and home care brands, as well as my favorite — love therapy. Do you know what other environmentally friendly was founded by Rechelbacher?

Source

Labels: Aveda, beauty, innovative, Intelligent Ingredients, natural products, new product

The official start of fall is only a few days away, and as the air turns crisp, the delicate fruits and vegetables of the summer will give way to an autumnal bounty of apples, pumpkins, root vegetables and more. Hearty greens such as brussels sprouts, nuts that reach their ripe age this time of year and cheeses that have been aging over the summer take center stage. Many of the fresh produce available in the fall months also reaps health benefits -- fruits and vegetables with dark, rich colors, such as kale and pomegranate, are often packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. Apples and pumpkins may be autumn's go-to foods, but here are 10 others to consider when cooking this fall:

1. Concord grapes: Concords are as high in natural anti-oxidants as blackberries or blueberries, and start showing up shortly after Labor Day. They can be found fresh as late as Thanksgiving, with the most plentiful months being September and October.

2. Kabocha: Similar to acorn squash, Kabocha is sometimes known as Japanese squash or Japanese pumpkin because of its popularity there. The squash's orange flesh is a little sweeter than butternut or acorn squash and is especially rich in beta-carotene -- the health effects of which have been linked to everything from preventing cancer and heart disease to reducing the risk of cataracts and infertility.

3. Pears: Boasting more than 1,000 varieties in colors that range from yellow and green to red and brown, pears are usually harvested in September and October in the Northeast and Midwest. They are picked a little before they're soft and ripe so they can be transported without damage and continue to age in a cooler environment for 2-3 days and spoil quickly after they're soft to the touch. Pears are low in calories, but high in fiber and vitamins C and K. Keep an eye out for seckel, a tiny pear that is so sweet that it is sometimes called the "sugar pear."

5. Pine nuts: While they are high in calories (an ounce packs 160-180 calories), pine nuts are also high in protein, vitamins E and K, niacin and thiamin. Shelled pine nuts will last for roughly two months, stored dry or refrigerated, but can turn rancid and have a bitter taste if exposed to too much humidity.

6. Quince: One of the earliest known fruits and a relative of the apple and the pear, quince is particularly popular in much of Europe, Latin America and parts of Asia. It has a pleasant, sweet smell when ready to eat and turns from yellow to a pinkish color when cooked. Varieties include the apple- and pineapple quince, which is the most common type found in the US. Quince is high in fiber and vitamin C.

7. Rutabaga: Aka swede, the rutabaga is milder version of its cousin the turnip and has a texture similar to a potato. Rutabagas from the cooler parts of the US are sometimes coated in wax to help preserve them longer, so it's best to scrub or remove the skin before cooking. The flesh is most commonly yellow and sweeter than a turnip; milder white-fleshed ones exist as well. Rutabagas are low in calories and are a good source of thiamin and vitamin B6.

8. Thyme: This herb is available fresh year-round, but it is one of few examples, in addition to sage and rosemary, that grows well into the fall. Thyme's tiny green leaves release a deep fragrance, and are popular in Mediterranean foods. Thyme is regarded as an antioxidant, contains high amounts of vitamin K and iron, and is often championed in natural medicine for health benefits such as remedying coughing.

9. Tuscan kale: Known for its dark, almost black leaves, this prettier relative of Scottish kale is native to Italy. While fellow members of the brassicia family, such as cauliflower and broccoli, have a harder time with the frost, vegetables such as kale, kohlrabi and brussels spouts carry the torch. When the temperature drops, they convert their starch molecules into sugar to survive, thus enhancing their flavor. Tuscan kale is one of the healthiest vegetables around, and is loaded with vitamins A, C and K, along with significant amount of calcium, iron and manganese.

10. Sheep's milk cheeses: Beginning in late August and running through the end of the year, cheeses tend to be at their best because the cows, sheep and goats have been grazing grass throughout the spring and summer. Sheep's milk cheeses, similar to goat's milk cheeses, are high in calcium and are more easily digested than cow's milk cheeses.

Source

Labels: eating healthy, fruits and veggies, in season, vegetables

Cabbage is the featured Food of the Week and is available and affordable year-round. Although there are hundreds of varieties of cabbage, we primarily feature red, green, napa cabbage and bok choy. They are all great additions to your Healthiest Way of Eating however they do provide different nutritional benefits.
Comparing green and red cabbage: While both are comparable in folate, fiber and vitamin A, red cabbage has twice the amount of vitamin C while green cabbage has ten times more calcium and three times more beta-carotene.

Did you know that cabbage is great for losing weight? One cup of cooked cabbage contains only 33 calories while supplying you with a wealth of health-promoting nutrients. Like its other cruciferous cousins, broccoli, kale and mustard greens, cabbage is not only an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, but also contains many unique sulfur-containing phytonutrients, such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and sulforaphane. I3C and sulforaphane help activate and stabilize the body's antioxidant and detoxification mechanisms. Other sulfur compounds, which are produced as a result of cutting, chewing or digesting cabbage, increase the liver's ability to produce enzymes that neutralize potentially toxic substances.

Source

Labels: cabbage, cancer, cruciferous vegetables, detox, eating healthy, Green veggies

Diet and lifestyle can significantly benefit health and may make managing PMS symptoms easier. Currently, there is no evidence that diet can completely eliminate PMS symptoms, however, many women find that their diet can have an influence on their symptoms and how they cope with PMS in their day-to-day life.

This includes:

- Eating more complex carbohydrates and whole grains, especially those with a low glycemic load (GL).
- Avoiding or limiting caffeine which can increase tension and irritability.
- Limiting salt and salty foods to help prevent bloating.
- Eating small frequent meals and snacks.
- Choosing low fat foods to help maintain a healthy weight.
- Taking regular exercise and physical activity also play a beneficial role in PMS.
- Using specific nutrients and herbal preparations can help some women improve their PMS symptoms.

Source

Labels: Chinese Herbal Healing, eating healthy, exercise, Holistic Health, living holistically, PMS

Let's face it -- when it comes to our face, we're not always well-stocked...with beauty products, that is. Try these easy-to-find kitchen items next time you run out of your favorite...

Moisturizer: Apply olive oil liberally over parched skin (it mimics the oil that our skin naturally produces).

Toner: Rub half a lemon over skin to refresh and tone skin. Tomatoes work, too.

Exfoliator: combine 1 part sugar to 4 parts body lotion, apply to dry patches and rub.

Makeup remover: Olive oil (again!). It leaves skin clean and hydrated.

Zit cream: Chop up a banana peel and blend with milk. Apply paste to the infected area.

Shampoo: Sprinkle baking soda on your hairbrush and comb through to absorb excess oil.

Conditioner: Take 1 or 2 egg yolks and apply directly to hair. Leave for 20 minutes then shampoo thoroughly. For extra shine, mix with 2 tablespoons of olive oil or honey.

Tooth whitener: Rub mashed berries along your teeth (strawberries are particularly effective) to add sparkle to your smile.

Source

Labels: DIY, hair-care, olive oil, skin care

Food	May prevent	Nutrients	Notables
Beans (i.e., chickpeas, lentils, black beans, lima beans)	Colorectal cancer	Fiber and phytochemicals (saponins, protease inhibitors, and phytic acid)	Phytochemicals have been shown to slow the growth of tumors, and researchers have identified probable evidence that fiber protects against cancer. Beans are also a great source of vegetable protein, which is helpful if you are limiting red meat intake.
Berries	Skin, bladder, lung, esophageal, colorectal, and breast cancers	Vitamin C, fiber, and phytochemicals like ellagic acid, flavonoids, and antioxidants	Blueberries contain anthocyanosides, possibly the food kingdom's most potent antioxidants, which attack cell-damaging free radicals.
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, bok choy)	Many cancers, including colorectal, breast, oral, gastrointestinal, endometrial, lung, liver, and cervical cancers	Fiber, folate, glucosinolates, crambene, indole-3-carbinol, and isothiocyanates	Studies suggest these veggies fight cancer by regulating enzymes in the body.
Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens, Romaine lettuce)	Mouth, pharynx, larynx, stomach, breast, skin, and lung cancers	Fiber, folate, carotenoids, saponins, and flavonoids	Research suggests the carotenoids act as antioxidants, eliminating possible cancer-causing free radicals from the body.
Flaxseed	Colon, breast, skin, and lung cancers	Omega-3 fatty acids, lignans (plant estrogens), alphalinolenic acid	Flaxseed contains more lignans than any other known food. These phytoestrogens seem to mimic the hormone estrogen. Note that flaxseed oil does not naturally contain lignans.
Garlic (also allium vegetables such as onions, scallions, leeks, chives)	Stomach, colon, prostate, bladder, skin, lung, esophageal, and breast cancers	Allicin, allixin, allyl sulfides, quercetin, and organosulfur compounds	Research shows a “dose-response relationship” with garlic. That is, the more you eat, the higher the protective benefits.
Green tea	Colon, liver, breast, prostate, lung, skin, bladder, stomach, pancreas, and esophageal cancers	Catechins, a type of flavonoid, which are potent antioxidants	A 2007 study by Japan's National Cancer Center showed that men who drank five or more cups a day may reduce the risk of advanced prostate cancer by 48%.
Pomegranates	Prostate, lung, skin, and colon cancers	Antioxidants, polyphenolic flavonoids	Researchers say pomegranates, which have high levels of antioxidants, have more anti-inflammatory properties than green tea or red wine.
Red and purple grapes	Lymph, liver, stomach, skin, breast, and leukemia cancers	Resveratrol, a type of polyphenol	Resveratrol has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although wine contains resveratrol, research also shows a link between alcohol and other types of cancer, so it's not the best choice. Jam and raisins don't contain much; eat fresh dark-colored grapes.
Soybeans (also soy milk, soy yogurt, tofu, edamame, soynuts)	Breast and prostate cancers	Phytoestrogens called isoflavones, saponins, phenolic acids, phytic acid, and protein kinase inhibitors	Researchers believe soy isoflavones mimic hormones in the body, which may translate to cancer-fighting capabilities. Researchers also recommend that because of possible hormone mimicking, women taking anti-estrogen medicines should limit or avoid soy until more is known.
Tomatoes	Most notably, prostate cancer; also breast, lung, and endometrial cancers	Lycopene, an antioxidant	It appears the red fruit's cancer-fighting potential is higher when the tomato is in sauce, juice, or paste form.
Whole grains (such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, popcorn)	Colorectal cancer	Fiber, antioxidants, phenols, lignans, phytoestrogens, and saponins	The phytochemicals from whole grains appear to protect cells from the damage that can lead to cancer. The disease-fighting nutrients and fiber found in the bran and germ of grains are stripped out in the milling of refined grains like white flour, white rice, and pasta.

Labels: anthocyanins, cancer, healthy diet, Holistic Health, lycopene, phytonutrients

Schools in Wisconsin are showing kids the dangers of genetically engineered (GE) junk food with some unique science class experiments. Sister Luigi Frigo repeats the experiment every year in her second grade class in Cudahy.
Students feed one group of mice unprocessed whole foods. A second group of mice are given the same junk foods served at most schools. Within a couple of days, the behavior of the second group of mice develop erratic sleeping schedules and become lazy, nervous and even violent. It takes the mice about three weeks on unprocessed foods to return to normal. According to Frigo, the second graders tried to do the experiment again a few months later with the same mice, but the animals have already learned their lesson and refuse to eat the GE food.
Learn more

Labels: eating healthy, Obesity, processed foods, study, Whole Foods

The graviola, a tree growing in the Amazon River basin, has shown great promise as a cancer treatment, as its extracts are extremely effective at finding and killing cancer cells up to 10,000 better than regular chemotherapy. As well, its bark, fruit, and leaves are used as antidepressants, painkillers, antiparasitics, antifungals, and a host of other uses. Research, however, is very slow due to the fact that drug companies cannot patent natural products.

Source

Just putting it out there....as usual, do your own research.

Labels: cancer, graviola, miracle fruit, miracle?, research

The U.S. war on cancer has been fought for almost four decades now, since it was officially launched in 1971. It may be time to admit that the effort has often targeted the wrong enemies and used the wrong weapons.

Throughout the industrial world, the war on cancer remains focused on commercially fueled efforts to develop drugs and technologies that can find and treat the disease. But this struggle essentially ignores most of the things known to cause cancer, such as tobacco, radiation, benzene, asbestos, solvents, and some drugs and hormones. Many modern cancer-causing agents, such as gasoline exhaust, pesticides and other air pollutants, are simply deemed the inevitable price of progress.

Most cancer is not born, but made. Both public health and social justice demand a greater focus on the causes of cancer, rather than treatment. But the FDA and EPA often lack the authority and resources to monitor and control tobacco smoke, asbestos, and the cancer-causing agents in food, water and everyday products. Under antiquated laws, chemical and radiation hazards are examined one at a time, if at all. Of the nearly 80,000 chemicals regularly bought and sold today, fewer than 10% have been tested for their capacity to cause cancer or do other damage.

No matter how much efforts to treat cancer may advance, the best way to reduce cancer's toll is to keep people from getting it in the first place -- something that is being largely ignored by the modern cancer-fighting enterprise.

Source

Labels: cancer, eating healthy, healthy living, toxic, toxins

Yes. In fact, it's not surprising that dairy products are often the first foods shoppers buy when converting to organic. Frequently, parents find out about growth hormones in conventional dairy products — and they certainly don't want to expose their kids. Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH, aka rBST) has been associated with an increase in certain cancers, such as prostate, breast, lung, and colon. Although there isn't clear-cut proof that rBGH causes cancer, substantial evidence links rBGH with increased IGF-1, a hormone associated with higher cancer rates, says Martin Donahoe, MD, a member of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility. Organic dairy is free of these hormones.

You might also buy organic dairy products to avoid antibiotics — which conventional cows are given prophylactically — and concentrated servings of chemicals originating from a dairy cow's diet. As with organic beef cattle, organic dairy cows are not allowed to eat feed that has been grown with pesticides. Many toxins — such as pesticides — are lipophilic, or “fat-loving,” so they accumulate in the animals' fatty tissues and are then released into their milk. Toxins can then pass into any products made from that milk, including butter, cheese, and yogurt.

Source

Labels: Dairy, hormones, organic, organic milk, pesticides, toxins

No, juicing your greens is not nearly as healthy as eating them, provided that you use healthy cooking methods when you eat the greens themselves. If you overcook the greens, you will lose too many of the nutrient they contain, and in that case, you might be worse off than if you used a juicer. But as long as you use the healthy steaming or other cooking methods we describe on the website, you'll get a far greater variety of nutrients in the whole greens than in the juice.

Juicers usually separate the juice from the solids in the leaves or stems or stalks (the pulp), all of which are then discarded. Unfortunately, these portions of the greens often contain a majority - and even a large majority - of the total nutrients, including fiber, and many phytonutrients including certain carotenoids and certain flavonoids. If you added all of the discarded portions back into the juice, you would be getting very close to the same nutritional benefits as the vegetable itself. However, most people would find a juice with all of the processed parts to be unpleasantly thick and displeasing in taste.

We've seen websites promoting the value of live enzymes from freshly juiced greens, and even though we have not seen research to support this claim, there may indeed be some benefit inside of the digestive tract to the consumption of freshly juiced, organic greens. We do know that very fresh (not long from harvest) raw foods that are harvested and handled with care can deliver some functioning enzymes into our digestive tract when we eat those raw foods. However, there is no research showing that we would be able to absorb these enzymes into our body and make use of them outside of the digestive tract.

Many juicers come with a recipe book showing how the vegetable pulp can be used in recipes. This idea makes good sense to us, and would be a way of salvaging some of the nutrients that were lost during the process of juicing.

Blending versus juicing

Blending, however, is somewhat different. We assume that when foods are blended that all of the fruits or vegetables remains in the blender. In this case you are getting virtually all of the nutrients in the food - as well as the fiber- and therefore will not have such an impact on blood sugar levels. There may be a little but of loss from exposure to air and from the mechanical processing, but if you are not heating the foods or discarding any of its components, you are losing very little here - especially in comparison with juicing.

Source

Labels: beverages, blender, enzymes, greens, juice, juicing, Vitamins

Alpha-lipoic acid, also called lipoic acid or thioctic acid, is a powerful antioxidant that helps cells convert glucose to energy, detoxifies the body, fights inflammation in the skin, and helps stabilize blood sugar.

Alpha-lipoic acid has been called a "universal antioxidant" because it is both water- and fat-soluble, and thus can penetrate tissues composed mainly of fat, such as the nervous system, as well as those made mainly of water, such as the heart, to protect them from free-radical damage. Alpha-lipoic acid also helps the body use other antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and glutathione, more efficiently. This nutrient also helps B vitamins convert proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into energy more efficiently.

Alpha-lipoic acid may be one of the most powerful antioxidants discovered to date. It helps increase the body’s supply of glutathione, the most abundant natural antioxidant, so that free radicals are escorted out of the body before they can cause damage to cells. Free radicals have been shown to impair the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to infections, heart disease and cancer. Free radical damage is thought by scientists to be the basis for the aging process as well.

Alpha-lipoic acid is found in spinach, liver, and brewer's yeast, and the body is able to manufacture its own supply of this substance as well. However, the body doesn’t make a lot of alpha-lipoic acid, and most of it is used to help the mitochondria in cells convert glucose to energy. In order to benefit from the anti-aging and disease-fighting abilities of alpha-lipoic acid, you have to take a supplement.

There is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for alpha-lipoic acid, but studies have found that 100 milligrams taken twice daily is enough to supply extra free-radical protection throughout the body, and may help prevent or treat a lot of health problems, including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, glaucoma, and HIV infection. Lipoic acid could also help those with liver disease; intravenous forms of alpha-lipoic acid are used in some hospitals to treat cases of acute poisoning that affect the liver.

However, alpha-lipoic has been most extensively studied for its role in preventing complications from both diabetic neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is thought to be caused by free-radical damage to the nerves, and causes unpleasant tingling, numbness, and pain in the body. Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves that control internal organs, and is also thought to be linked to free-radical damage. Alpha-lipoic acid may be successful in treating these conditions because it is fat-soluble antioxidant, and therefore can penetrate the nerve cells to prevent further damage.

Alpha-lipoic acid comes in tablets and capsules, and is also available in combination products with other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E. It has shown no serious toxic side effects at commonly recommended dosages, although it can cause stomach upset or an allergic skin rash in some people. If you experience any of these reactions, reduce the dose or stop taking the supplement.

Source

Labels: Alpha Lipoic Acid, antioxidant, supplements

• Anthocyanins: Responsible for the red, purple and blue pigments of many fruits and vegetables, more than 300 structurally distinct anthocyanins have been identified, according to information from the Linus Pauling Institute. Studies suggest anthocyanins have particular benefits to microcirculation, diabetes prevention and vision improvement. In particular, the anthocyanins found in blueberries, black currant and bilberry have shown efficacy in preventing oxidative damage in the eye and enhancing visual function.
• Catechins: Best known as the polyphenols found in tea, this class includes catechin, gallocatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin 3-gallate and epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG). They have been studied for a wide range of health benefits including cancer prevention, insulin resistance, cardiovascular health, and weight management.
• Ellagic acid: Found in many plant foods including raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, pomegranates and some nuts, ellagic acid is a non-flavonoid polyphenol. The American Cancer Society has noted ellagic acid acts as an antioxidant, and has some anti-cancer properties. Researchers suggest its effects may be due to antioxidant activity as well as induction of apoptosis.
• Flavanones/Flavones: Primarily found in citrus fruit, the major dietary flavanones are hesperetin, naringenin and eriodictyol, while the flavones include luteolin and apigenin. These compounds exert antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, the flavanones, and their aglycone derivatives, particularly address blood lipid levels and may help lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
• Flavonols: The major dietary aglycone flavonols include quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin and isorhamnetin, found in fruits and vegetables such as onions, apples, kale and broccoli.
• Isoflavones: Primarily found in soy, isoflavones are considered a phytoestrogen (plant-based compound similar to the body’s hormone), and have been studied for their anti-cancer ability, particularly in relation to breast cancer. They may also beneficially influence cardiovascular health. The major isoflavones include daidzein and genistein.

Source

Labels: anthocyanins, catechins, ellagic acid, flavonoids, healthy diet, polyphenols, soy isoflavones