Striving4Zen

Just when you thought you knew the good fats from the bad, Internet rumors trashing canola oil's polyunsaturated fat content may have you puzzled. The gossip claims canola's omega-6 fatty acids are too high in proportion to its omega-3 fatty acids. “The optimal balance is between 1:1 and 4:1,” says Steven Pratt, PhD, assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Diego. “Unfortunately, the typical Western diet contains 14 to 25 times more omega-6s than omega-3s,” a discrepancy linked to increased inflammation and blood-clot risk. He points out, however, that canola oil contains 21% omega-6s and 11% omega-3s. That works out to a healthy 2:1 ratio.

If you're worried your diet contains too many omega-6s, offset your vegetable oil and canola oil use by substituting with omega-3-rich walnut or flaxseed oil. (Heat destroys omega-3s, though, so don't use these oils for high-heat cooking.) And don't believe the GMO buzz either: Canola oil was not developed using genetic engineering. In fact, Canadians bred canola from the rapeseed plant in the early 1970s — almost a decade before biotechnology company Monsanto genetically modified the first plant cell.

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Labels: canola oil, cooking oil, flaxseed oil, GMO, Omega-3s, omega-6, vegetable oil, Western diet

Virtually all nationally marketed, non-organic deli meats contain sodium nitrite (or sometimes potassium nitrite) as a preservative. Occasionally, a non-organic manufacturer will introduce an "all-natural" version of its deli meat that does not contain any nitrites, but the only way to be sure about this is to check the ingredient list on the back of the package. Since preservation with sodium nitrite is not allowed in certified organic deli meats, these organic versions are a great way to steer clear of this preservative. Cooked whole turkey products and cured turkey products often do contain sodium nitrite, but there are nitrite-free products in the marketplace. Once again, your best bet is to look through the ingredient list and check for sodium nitrite or potassium nitrite among the ingredients. Nitrite-free products will sometimes advertise their nitrite-free status on the label.

Source

Labels: cold cuts, deli meats, meat, organic food, preservatives, sodium nitrite, turkey

A new restaurant will move New Yorkers one step closer to making the world outside the city truly unnecessary.

At the Homegrown Kitchen, which will open in June, all the vegetables and herbs used in the kitchen will be grown upstairs -- in an enormous, rooftop farm.

Anne Apparu, 32, the caterer behind the almost-self-sufficient eatery at 169 Bowery, is currently growing oranges, apples and purple asparagus.

"There's going to be lots of herbs, beans and produce. We will be very varied and have everything we want," she said.

With two entire rooftops, Apparu hopes to turn the setting into a real, working farm -- animals and all.

"I may have a few chickens and a baby goat," she said.

She plans to grow produce year-round.

NYPost

Labels: cool new place, garden, Homegrown Kitchen, innovative, NYC, vegetables

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wants the feds to test commonly used baby shampoos and cosmetics, after a study revealed that many popular brand-name items contain cancer-causing substances.

"It's important to me because I'm a mom with two young kids," the state's junior senator told The Post. "When I read this report, it basically talked about products that I have in my bathroom and I've been using for years."

The report, issued by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, found that products including Baby Magic Soft Baby Scent Baby Lotion, and CVS and Johnson & Johnson brand baby shampoos contain the chemicals formaldehyde and 1.4-dioxane.

Gillibrand's proposed legislation, the Safe Baby Products Act, would require the FDA to investigate by testing the products and report its findings. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics study tested 28 products and found the presence of both chemicals in 61%.

Dr. John Bailey, a former FDA cosmetics analyst now with the trade group Personal Care Products Council, said the agency had already determined that levels of the two chemicals in child bath products were safe.

Source

Labels: 1.4-dioxane, beauty, cosmetics, FDA, formaldehyde, toxic, toxins

When you dry fruits, you lose more than just water. You also lose nutrients. For example, when it comes to berries, much of their uniqueness is derived from their phytonutrients. Flavonoids like peonidin, petunidin, malvidin, and many others found in berries are susceptible to damage from heat, light, oxygen, and time-since-harvest. While some drying processes are harsher than others, no drying process can leave the phytonutrient content of these berries unchanged.

Since fruits lose water (and therefore volume) during the drying process, their nutrient, calorie, and sugar content become concentrated once they are dried. When you eat a handful of dried fruit, you are consuming more calories than you would if you ate that same amount of fresh fruit.

For example, one-quarter cup of dried apricots contains about 75 calories; for that same amount of calories you could actually enjoy a whole cup of fresh apricots. In contrast to fresh fruits, which I would place in the moderate sugar category, I would classify dried fruits as high-sugar foods (using the apricot example, the one-quarter cup of dried apricots actually contains more sugar-17.4 grams-than the entire one cup of fresh apricots, which contains 14.3 grams.)

The following chart illustrates some examples:

Nutrient	Fresh Apricot Halves	Dried Apricot Halves
Calories	74 (1 cup)	313 (1 cup)
Fiber (g/calorie)	0.04	0.03
Vitamin A (IU/calorie)	40.0	15.0
Beta-carotene (mcg/calorie)	22.9	9.0
Vitamin C (mg/calorie)	0.209	0.004
Potassium	5.4	4.8

The other thing to be aware of with commercially dried fruit is the addition of other ingredients, notably sweeteners. These are added to dried cranberries (and oftentimes other berries) since cranberries are very tart. In this example, I'd suggest looking for dried cranberries sweetened with a natural sweetener such as apple juice concentrate rather than refined sugar or corn syrup.

With the home dehydrating of fruit, however, it's a different story. A home dehydrator does nothing more than blow warm air up through the fresh fruit, and it's not nearly as harsh on the nutrients. The fruit is still "dried" and lasts longer than fresh fruit, but using a home dehydrator is gentler on the fruit than commercial processing. Even though home dehydration is not a bad way to go from an overall nutrient standpoint, it still causes some concern from a sugar and calories standpoint. Sometimes we might end up eating a lot more dehydrated apple slices, for example, than the amount of apple we would have eaten if we had a fresh, organic, whole apple in our hand.

Source

Labels: dehydrating fruit, dried fruit, eating healthy, flavonoids, fruit, nutrition, sugar

Sweeteners are a type of carbohydrate that are tough to avoid since many people crave sweet foods. All these treats are made with different types of sweeteners, so when cooking or choosing foods, it's good to know how they compare.

See where different types of sweeteners fall on the glycemic scale:

Sweetener	GI
Glucose	96
Fructose	22
Lactose	46
Sucrose (white sugar)	64
Brown sugar	64
Barley malt syrup	42
Brown rice syrup	25
Raw honey	30
Agave syrup	15
High fructose corn syrup	62
Stevia	less than 1
Sugar cane juice	43
Evaporated cane juice	55
Maple syrup	54
Black strap molasses	55

Labels: agave, artificial sweeteners, fructose, glucose, glycemic index, Stevia

Nutra-Lift Rejuvenating Therapy ($40). This well-priced product puts a lot of those $100-plus creams to shame. In addition to matrixyl 3000, this is chock with most of the anti-aging ingredients known to man. The collagen and elastin are from fish, so that should mean there’s no danger of estrogen (as there is if they have been derived from human or other animal cells). Also included is astraxanthin, which is supposed to be 100-500 times more powerful as an antioxidant than vitamin E. Pycnogenol is another antioxidant from the bark of the French maritime pine tree.

Ingredients in Nutra-Lift Rejuvenating Therapy

Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Matrixyl 3000 at 5% (Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 PAL KTTKS), Vitamin C ester, sea kelp / algae, liposomes, astraxanthin, grape seed extract, cetyl esters, nikkomulese, co-Q10, pycogenol, natural mixed tocopherals (vitamin e), anti-oxidant complex 14, natural firming complex (dmae, alpha lipoic acid) fruit flower complex 12, herbal complex 30, plant derived polysorbate 20, hydroxyethyl-cellulose, hyaluronic acid, copper peptide, marine collagen, marine elastine, organic royal jelly, Mexican yam, green tea, milk thistle, retinyl palmitate, ( vitamin A) ppgsmdi co-polymer., l-tyrosine, zinc sulfate, squalene, colloidal minerals.

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Labels: anti-aging, natural products, Nutra-Lift, product review, pycnogenol, skin care

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most common and hazardous food additives on the market. MSG is reportedly more toxic than alcohol, tobacco and many drugs. MSG is an excitotoxin, so it tricks your brain into wanting to eat more and more foods containing the ingredient, even if you are already full. Side effects of MSG include: obesity, eye damage, headaches, depression, fatigue and disorientation. Food manufacturers know that health-conscious consumers try to avoid MSG, so it is oftentimes not listed in a product's ingredients.

MSG is banned in organic foods.

Here's a list of ingredients that ALWAYS contain MSG:

Autolyzed Yeast -- Calcium Caseinate -- Gelatin Glutamate -- Glutamic Acid -- Hydrolyzed Protein -- Monopotassium Glutamate -- Monosodium Glutamate -- Sodium Caseinate -- Textured Protein -- Yeast Extract -- Yeast Food -- Yeast Nutrient

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Labels: food additives, MSG, toxic, toxins

Required time: About 30-40 minutes
Skill level: Goof-proof

Ingredients:
4 black tea bags
2 cups boiling water
Sponge or spray bottle

Optional:
Body lotion
Pure cocoa powder

Instructions:
When water has boiled, add the tea bags to steep. Leave in for 10-15 minutes, or until tea is dark and cool enough to touch.

In the meantime, take a shower to ensure your skin is oil- and sweat-free. Afterwards, make sure skin is completely dry.

Stand on something you don't mind getting dirty. If using a sponge, drench it in the tea and wipe all over your body. If using a spray bottle, fill it with tea and spray evenly. Let skin air-dry and apply another coat for a deeper shade.

Tea will stain clothes if wet, so make sure you're all dry before dressing. The "tan" should last 3-4 days.

Optional: For bonus color, mix cocoa powder into body lotion until you reach desired color and apply for an all-over bronzing boost.

THANKS!!

Labels: DIY, natural products, self-tanner

NYC’s elusive spa maven, Cygalle Dias, has finally launched her online shop, where 100% organic products like oatmeal apricot cleanser, whipped basil moisture cream, and our favorite orange facial tonic (along with serums, masques, and moisturizers) are made to order. (Now if only she would open permanent spa digs in the city.)

Thanks!

Labels: cool new site, Cygalle Dias, organic beauty, Spa

Calcium is a mineral found in a wide variety of foods besides dairy products. Virtually all greens contain calcium. By "greens," I mean all the dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, chard, mustard greens, and collard greens as well as lettuces, like romaine. Shredded cabbage is also a source of calcium.

Virtually all nuts and seeds - and especially sesame seeds - contain calcium. So do most beans, including navy, pinto, kidney, and black and others. Additionally, tofu can also be an important source of calcium, particularly when the tofu has been calcium-precipitated (meaning that calcium was used to help convert the soy milk into tofu) it can provide a significant amount of calcium.

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Labels: beans, calcium, green leafy vegetables, healthy diet, Nuts, plant foods, seeds, tofu, vegetarian

Good to know!

Beauty Junkie fears that the past two rain-soaked days have only offered a preview of the frizzy hair that is to come this summer. No wonder we’ll be stocking up on Ojon Rare Harvest Tunu Elastik Hair Tamer. It works on all types of hair and is packed with Ojon oil, Tunu (a natural elastic fiber extract), and Swa (a nut oil filled with amino acids) – all remedies from the Tawaka tribe who live in the tropical rainforest. Bring on the humidity! We’re ready.

THE DETAILS: $25, www.beauty.com

Thanks!

Labels: Beauty Junkie, cool new product, frizzy hair, hair-care, Ojon

Eating the right foods can counter ovulatory infertility.

A Diet for Fertility

Recent findings from the Nurses’ Health Study, a long-term investigation, suggest that the right foods can counter ovulatory infertility, which prevents conception in one-quarter of couples or more. For example, women who eat “slow carbs,” or carbohydrates with a low glycemic index (GI) that burn more slowly in the body, have greater success getting pregnant. If you’re looking to start a family, add more brown rice and whole grains to your diet.

Many nutritionists believe that iron-rich foods (apricots, clams, prunes, shrimp, and tofu) can enhance fertility. Research suggests that women with low iron reserves are less likely to conceive.

Healthy fats can help too. The Nurses’ Health Study finds that a high intake of polyunsaturated fat provides some protection against ovulatory infertility in women with high intakes of iron. Also, one or two daily servings of full-fat dairy seem to improve fertility, while skim and low-fat choices don’t. “The most potent fertility food in the dairy case,” report researchers analyzing data from the Nurses’ Health Study, “is whole milk, followed by ice cream.”

Just go easy on red meat: Ovulatory infertility is 39% higher in women whose diets are highest in animal protein. Consuming more plant protein improves the likelihood of conception, so add more beans and other legumes to your diet.

While this “fertility diet” doesn’t guarantee pregnancy any more than in vitro fertilization or other kinds of assisted reproduction do, it’s available to everyone. Equally important, eating right sets the stage for a healthy pregnancy and motherhood.

Consider Organic

Environmental toxins like pesticides have been found to be detrimental to reproductive health. Parabens (synthetic preservatives in personal care products and pharmaceuticals as well as foods) have been linked specifically to low sperm count and motility.

Largely thin-skinned produce that doesn’t need peeling, the following fruits and vegetables tend to have the highest levels of harmful pesticides. Choose organic whenever possible and especially when you’re trying to conceive (and when you succeed): *apples * celery * cherries * grapes (imported) * lettuce * nectarines * peaches * pears * potatoes * spinach * strawberries * sweet bell peppers.

SOURCE

Labels: fertility, healthy diet, healthy fats, iron, Nurses' Health Study, organic food, polyunsaturated fat, Whole grains

Did you know that the B vitamins in green peas may help reduce fatigue and sluggishness?

In order for the energy in the food you eat to be accessible to your body for energy production, it must be transformed into a form your body can use. This transference of energy requires enzymes and many nutrients, especially B vitamins. The role of B vitamins in the functioning of the mitochondria (the energy production factories inside your cells) is one reason they are sometimes referred to as the "energy vitamins." All of the B vitamins are important for producing energy, and plentiful amounts of most of them can be found in a one cup serving of green peas: one cup contains 27% of your daily value (DV) for B1, 18% DV for B6, 16% DV for B3 and 14% DV for B2. So, for a healthy energy boost, add nutritious, sweet tasting green peas to your Healthier Way of Eating.

Source

Labels: b-vitamins, energy, green peas, healthy food, peas, vegetable

In the spirit of Earth Month, Emma Pazzack, founder of Futurenatural--an online beauty store hailed as an organic and natural Sephora--shares the top 5 reasons for using organic beauty products.

• Your skin absorbs up to 60% of what you apply to the surface. Using natural and organic beauty products is not a luxury - it's critical to your health.

• Organic ingredients create a less toxic environment for us, and the planet. In cosmetic formulations, chemical preservatives, petrochemicals, synthetic colors and fragrances are eliminated in favor of healthy, natural, effective alternatives.

• Organic cosmetics contain optimal amounts of bioactive ingredients that are a very important aid to the health of skin. Anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, oils (from seeds & nuts), fruit and vegetables, are powerful and effective tools in the fight against all skin problems!

• Organic has been proven to use less energy (on average, about 30% less), and is beneficial to soil, water and local habitat, not to mention safer for the people who harvest the crops.

• The natural scents & essential oils used in organic and natural beauty products have aromatherapeutic value - they don't just make you smell good, they make you feel good. Avoid using brands that list the smell of their product as 'fragrance' and do not disclose what that 'fragrance' is. Often this masks some very nasty chemicals!

Source

Labels: beauty, Futurenatural, natural products, organic skin care, preservatives, skin care

By now we know that certain types of food do more for our health than others, but when it comes down to it, a lot of the research we read states that a particular item "may" promote heart health. Researchers sorted through 50 years of studies to weed out the definites from the maybes and discovered that only some diets claiming heart-healthy benefits are supported by strong evidence.

They found that the Mediterranean diet, incorporating plenty of vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, whole grains, cheese or yogurt, and fish, legitimately promotes heart health, and diets rich in vegetables and nuts also serve to lower your risk for heart disease. While there's some evidence about the ability for omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, alcohol, vitamins E and C, beta carotene, folate, fruit, and fiber to positively affect heart health, the jury is undecided on whether or not these elements live up to the claims.

While more research needs to be done to qualify those dietary factors as being heart healthy, there is conclusive evidence that diets high in red meat, butter, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products, high-glycemic index foods, and trans-fatty acids are harmful to heart health. If you're concerned about heart health, revising your diet to resemble the typical Mediterranean diet could be a good place to start.

Thanks again FitSugar!

Labels: eating healthy, fruits and veggies, healthy diet, heart disease, heart healthy, Mediterranean Diet, Nuts, Whole grains

Women who exercise beat breast cancer far more often than those that don't. Sort of common sense, but the numbers from a new study (via Reuters) are surprising:

Among 1,231 women with breast cancer who were followed for a minimum of 8.3 years, those who obtained about 4 hours or more of weekly moderate-intensity recreational activity over their lifetime had a 44 percent lower risk of death from breast cancer

The underlining is ours, to emphasize that what matters, it seems, are workout habits long-established. As Dr. Christine Friendenreich told Reuters: "Being physically active before a breast cancer diagnosis can improve survival after breast cancer...." And here's something else, for those with loose definitions of workout: "Occupational activity and physical household work such as gardening, housework, and do-it-yourself home repair did not confer benefits similar to those from lifetime exercise and sports activities."

Source

Labels: breast cancer, exercise, study

Your body's enzyme production drops off after you hit age 30, foods high in fat and carbohydrates become more difficult to digest — potentially leaving you with bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.

Taking enzyme supplements regularly (or eating enzyme-rich foods like pineapple) helps break down foods so that nutrients can be absorbed. They can also help ease symptoms of lactose or gluten intolerance. Never take enzymes, though, if you have open stomach ulcers — the results can be painful.

When buying supplements for digestion, look for plant-based products that combine several enzymes — they are more likely to work across the gastrointestinal tracts' broad range of pH levels. And be sure to take the pills with food; try them with two meals a day for at least three months; after that, you may be able to go with your gut and cut back.

Look for combos of the following enzymes:

ENZYME	HELPS DIGEST
Amylase	→ Starch
Cellulase	→ Cellulose from plant foods
Lipase	→ Fats
Lactase	→ Lactose in dairy
Phytase	→ Grains and legumes
Protease (bromelain)	→ Protein
Sucrase and maltase	→ Complex sugars

Source

Labels: bloating, digestion, digestive enzymes, eating healthy, enzymes, living holistically, supplements

Already popular in Korea and Japan, black garlic is simply regular garlic that's aged and fermented until it develops a dark color and soft texture. It may look funny, but the flavor is seriously savory with a touch of sweetness (think hints of molasses), minus the bite and pungency of raw garlic.

And food lovers aren't the only fans of this "it" ingredient. Black garlic has long been praised for its health benefits, which include high levels of antioxidants (some claim it has almost double those in regular garlic) and antibacterial compounds believed to fight cancer.

Buy some online and start experimenting by using it in your favorite dishes (like roast chicken), these recipes, or any way you like. Its mild flavor and tender consistency make it so versatile, you could even pop some straight into your mouth as a snack.

THANKS!

Labels: antibacterial, antioxidants, black garlic, garlic, healthy food, recipe

Fancy candles look nice and can smell delicious, but if you knew that formaldehyde, ethanol and acetone were components of the fragrant air you're breathing thanks to those candles, chances are you'd walk around with your own oxygen supply for 10 hours (that's how long the emissions linger!)

Candles have long been the source of providing an instant pick-me-up to an otherwise boring atmosphere. With varying colors, designs and scents, candles can turn a plain, poorly lit room into a romantic, inviting space.

Along with everything else from grocery bags to beauty products, candles have begun a green transformation making them more eco-friendly by emitting fewer carcinogens.

While paraffin wax and lead-based wicks have been common components of scented candles, companies are now employing soy and vegetable waxes along with cotton or paper core wicks, which are friendlier to Mother Earth-- and your lungs.

These longer- and cleaner-burning votives are made with essential and natural oils that don't have petroleum-based notes. As an added bonus, they come in recycled packaging and, most importantly, are made of harmless ingredients.

Best Sound Effects:

Dayna Decker "Bardou" has an EcoWood Wick, which crackles just like a fireplace.

Best Kitchen Scent:

James Boyce for Voluspa "Tomato, Celery and Fennel"

Most Fun:

Soular Therapy Astrological Candles "Pisces"

Sexiest:

Illume "Black Lavender"

Best Basic Scent:

Paddywax "Linden," $28 at

Most Reasonable:

Votivo "White Ocean Sands"

Most Relaxing:

Thymes "Eucalyptus"

Sweetest Smelling:

Nest "Beeswax and Whipped Cream"

Full article --> NY Post

Labels: breathe, candles, clean air, cool new product, eco-friendly, lead, toxic, toxins

There's a new yogurt in town: True Yogurt.

• It's no phony. The natural yogurt is made with 100% organic milk from a Vermont farm. Plus the peach and strawberry options contain real fruit and no artificial colors. (Vanilla is also totally pure.)

• You can trust your gut. The milk in True Yogurt is lactose free, and the yogurt is packed with five powerful probiotics along with the prebiotic inulin (a dietary fiber). Together, they work to help with digestion.

• It's full of flavor. Even the the plain has a subtle sweetness from the natural sugar in milk. And at less then 100 calories per container, it will get along well with your diet.

Intrigued? Discover true love at Whole Foods, Eli's Manhattan or Westerly Natural Market.

Thanks!

Labels: healthy food, new product, organic milk, prebiotics, Probiotics, True Yogurt, yogurt

Did you know that there are different types of iron?

Iron is a mineral essential to all body cells and is linked with protein to form the hemoglobin that carries oxygen throughout your body. Although iron can be found in a variety of different foods, how well it is absorbed by the body is determined by whether it is in the form of heme or non-heme iron. Heme iron is found in fish, poultry and meats such as lamb. It is much more easily absorbed than the non-heme iron found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains and nuts. A 4-ounce serving of lamb provides 15% of the daily value for this important mineral. And because lamb provides heme iron, it is easily absorbed and used by your body. Lamb is also a rich source of B vitamins, selenium and protein.

Select organically-grown lamb or grass-fed lamb whenever possible, it is much less likely to have been injected with the hormones so commonly given to beef, pork and chickens. One reason for this is because baby lamb are often still drinking mother's milk and what we usually call lamb is the pinkish meat from young animals that are usually only 5-6 months old (up to one year) so do not require the hormones that would help them grow into a large animal.

Source

Labels: grass-fed, healthy diet, heme iron, iron, lamb, meat, minerals

In case you hadn't yet read the recent Harvard Mental Health Letter, they've nicely rounded-up the latest medical research on yoga.

The short take?

Yoga helps lower stress and can ward off depression. Good news, though no giant surprise. But here's something: It also makes you tougher. In a study of "stress response" that Harvard calls "intriguing," researchers compared various study populations' sensitivity to pain: "The yoga practitioners had the highest pain tolerance and lowest pain-related brain activity during the MRI." I give Urdhva Dhanurasana all the credit.

Source

Labels: benefits of yoga, depression, stress, study, yoga

All teas need to be freshly steeped to receive the most benefits. Also, the steeping process itself is very important, and different steeping methods have been compared in research studies investigating the health benefits of green tea.

Much of the research on green tea has focused on its polyphenol content. Many different kinds of polyphenols are found in green tea, and these polyphenols will become increasingly present in the tea water the longer a tea is steeped. (This principle holds true for green tea, white tea, black tea, and oolong tea.) Catechins, theaflavins, and thearubigins are among the best studied of the green tea polyphenols that are known to increase in the tea water as steeping times increase.

Given an equal amount of steeping time, loose leaf teas do a better job of passing on their polyphenol content than bagged teas because loose leaf teas expose their whole leaves to the steeping water during the entire steeping time. Bagged teas, by contrast, may float on top of the steeping water and expose less of the tea leaves directly to the water. (You can improve this situation by allowing the tea bag to bob down into the water from time to time during the steeping process.)

When you brew tea yourself, you can control this steeping process in a way that will maximize the polyphenol content of your tea. When you buy a bottled tea, however, you may or may not get a tea that has been carefully brewed. In addition, you are likely to get a tea that includes other ingredients and is not simply 100% brewed tea.

In 2005, the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University issued a report showing that many bottled teas contained polyphenol content 10 to 100 times lower than freshly and carefully brewed teas. Differences between bottled tea and freshly brewed tea were attributed to steeping process, amount of actual tea found in the bottled products, and presence of non-tea ingredients in the bottled teas, including sugar. In addition, bottled tea companies were sometimes found to use powdered rather than brewed tea in their products.

If you do choose to make bottled tea a regular part of your diet, be sure to find a manufacturer who produces a high-quality bottled beverage. You can find unsweetened, organic green teas in bottled form in some natural foods stores and on the Internet; these teas will provide you with health benefits closer to those offered by freshly and carefully steeped tea.

Source

Labels: bagged tea, bottled tea, catechins, drinks, green tea, healthy beverage, loose leaf tea, polyphenols, steeping tea, tea

KINeSYS is a green company and their products are cruelty-free, the bottle is free of Bisphenol-A which means it can be recycled, and all of the company’s electricity is offset by wind-generated power.

KINeSYS has been voted #1 in a field of over 1000 sunscreen sprays, by the Environmental Working Group. KINeSYS sunscreen sprays are perfect for exercise because they are both sweat and water-resistant. They won’t clog pores, they are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. They contain no alcohol, oil, PABA (yay! no chemical burn), and no preservatives. They protect with a photo-stable Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection, with Parsol® 1789.

KINeSYS just launched a new product for girls. It’s SPF 30, has a light feel, dries quickly, and carries a lovely fragrance combination of vanilla and green tea. You can find KINeSYS SPF30 Girl Sunscreen or any of the other KINeSYS sun care products here.

Thanks!!

Labels: Bisphenol-A, cool new product, KINeSYS, natural products, skin care, sunscreen

Almost 1 in 5 American 4-year-olds is obese, and the rate is alarmingly higher among American Indian children, with nearly one-third of them fat, a striking new study says.

Researchers said they were surprised to see differences by race at so early an age.

Overall, more than a half-million 4-year-olds are obese, the study suggests. Obesity is more common in Hispanic and black youngsters, too, but the disparity is most startling in American Indian kids, whose rate is almost double that of white children.

The study's lead author said that rate is worrisome among children so young, even in a population at higher risk for obesity because of other health problems and economic disadvantages.

"The magnitude of these differences was larger than we expected, and it is surprising to see differences by racial groups present so early in childhood," said Sarah Anderson, an Ohio State University public-health researcher.

Anderson conducted the research with Temple University's Dr. Robert Whitaker.

Dr. Glenn Flores, a pediatrics and public-health professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, said the research is an important contribution to studies documenting racial and ethnic disparities in children's weight.

"The cumulative evidence is alarming because within just a few decades, America will become a 'minority majority' nation," he said.

Without interventions, the next generation "will be at very high risk" for heart disease, high blood pressure, cancers, joint diseases and other problems connected with obesity, said Flores, who was not involved in the new research.

The results appeared in yesterday's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

Almost 13% of Asian children were obese, along with 16% of whites, almost 21% of blacks, 22% of Hispanics, and 31% of American Indians.

Source

Labels: children, disturbing trend, Fat, obese, Obesity, study

While some people have an innate ability to understand plants, not all of us were born with a green thumb. And now, with more folks turning to home gardening as a source of free produce and herbs (and potentially even longevity), we want to catch up.

Enter the EasyBloom Sensor, a user-friendly device that eliminates the need for trial and error.

Just put the sensor in your "garden" (whether that's your backyard or a pot on your windowsill) and it will gather environmental data like soil, light, temperature and humidity. After 24 hours, plug it into your USB drive and find out the best plants for that environment, how to care for them, and how to revive dying plants.

On top of that, the website lets you search an extensive plant database, make notes and log data to keep track of your progress. Before you know it, you'll find yourself with a living, breathing, and maybe even edible result.

Thanks!

Labels: cool new product, EasyBloom Sensor, garden, gardening, greenery, Holistic Health, innovative, plants

Spring is often the time of year that people ask about cleansing. The World's Healthiest Foods have detoxifying and cleansing properties because they are nutrient-rich foods, which are able to cleanse and regenerate all at the same time. They also do not contain synthetic additives, and if organically grown, will not have pesticide residues. Here are some of the ways that World's Healthiest Foods can assist with cleansing and detoxification:

• Lemon juice detoxifies and cleanses the digestive tract and balances pH
• Cilantro can detoxify and reduce mercury levels
• Prunes help cleanse and detoxify the digestive system and help prevent constipation
• Whole grains, high in fiber, help cleanse the digestive tract
• Fibers such as beta-glucan, found in oats and barley, help eliminate excess cholesterol
• Turmeric helps cleanse the liver
• Allium vegetables like onions and garlic contain sulfur compounds critical for the detoxification of many potential toxins
• Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, and cauliflower are sulfur-rich foods, which are important for cleansing the liver

Source

Labels: beta-glucan, cilantro, cleanse, cruciferous vegetables, detox, detoxification, eating healthy, prunes, Spring, turmeric, Whole grains

White, green and black tea all come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis), but white tea is made from the unopened leaf buds of the plant, whereas green tea is made from the more mature, opened leaves. (Black tea is also made from mature, opened leaves, but undergoes a controlled fermentation process that results in its darker color.)

Both white and green tea contain a phytonutrient that has been high up on the radar screen in health research. This phytonutrient is a polyphenol called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG is the primary polyphenol in both white and green tea, and it's a key reason why researchers have been interested in the properties of white tea with respect to prevention of cancer development (tumorigenesis). At this point we only have preliminary animal studies and in vivo laboratory studies in this area. These studies not only fail to look at everyday intake of white tea as part of a daily diet but also often involve specialized extracts made from white tea.

White tea is not necessarily "better" or "worse" for you than green tea. Both teas have health benefits as they are different in their composition.

As always, quality is important when you are purchasing white or green tea, consider organic teas as they are produced by companies that have a reputation for high standards.

Source

Labels: cancer, EGCG, green tea, healthy diet, polyphenols, tea, white tea

Some of us seem to think that we can be healthy by simply eating healthy foods. The truth is, your health is determined by how well you digest the foods that you put into your body. In other words, you might be eating an unprocessed, whole food diet, but if your digestive passageway isn’t effectively breaking these foods down and absorbing nutrients, you are not giving yourself a chance to come close to your best health.

What does this have to do with farting? The amount you fart is one of the best indicators of how well you are digesting your food. Farting is in part due to rotting of incompletely digested foods in your digestive passageway. Farting in itself is actually helpful, as it represents unwanted gas leaving your body. In fact, if you have an urge to fart, be sure to do so. The point is, if you are farting a lot, then you probably have a lot of toxin formation occurring inside your gut from rotting of incompletely digested food, and some of these toxins are entering your blood stream and contributing to the development of long term disease. Farts that do not produce objectionable odor are usually pockets of air that you have swallowed.

So, what can you do to improve your digestion and prevent toxin formation from rotting of undigested food in your gut?

1. Chew your food until liquid. You don’t have teeth anywhere else in your digestive passageway. By chewing your food until liquid, you allow your digestive organs to do their jobs efficiently without the burden of having to break down larger chunks of food. If you don’t remember anything else from this newsletter, please remember this one point. It can make a huge difference in your level of health.

2. Consistently eat whole, unprocessed foods. An apple is better than apple juice. A bowl of oatmeal is better than a power bar. An organic egg is better than any egg substitute. And organic butter is much better than margarine. The closer your foods look like they can be found in a garden, in the wild, or on an organic farm, the greater chance your body has of efficiently digesting them.

3. Avoid foods that experience tells you no matter how well you chew, your body just says no. Based on your genetics and health status, there are foods that your body will digest beautifully, and there are foods that your body simply cannot break down. It’s your job to observe how you feel after each meal to identify these foods. It is important to note that as your health changes over time, your tolerance for different foods may also change, so you don’t need to write off a particular food forever if it isn’t working for you right now.

4. Don’t eat fruit for dessert. Fruits are extremely low in protein compared to all other foods, including vegetables. And all foods that have significant protein must spend about an hour to an hour and a half in your stomach, where the protein is broken down by acid produced by your stomach. If fruit gets caught up in your stomach because there are other foods churning there already, it is possible that some of the fruit will rot, resulting in gas and toxin formation. Try to eat fruit on an empty stomach, or about two hours after a big meal.

5. Take it easy for at least 30 minutes after a big meal. In order for your digestive organs to effectively break down food, they need to receive a large portion of your total blood volume after a big meal. If most of your blood is flowing to your muscles because you are running around, you’re not going to have enough available for your digestive organs to do good work.

Use the amount that you fart as a marker for your digestive strength and the health of your gut. By following the steps outlined above, you should see a dramatic reduction in gas production.

Source

Labels: digestion, farting, farts, fruit, healthy diet, processed foods, Whole Foods

The study, which reviewed more than 25 published research papers on protein concluded that the protein in eggs contributes to strength, power and energy as follows:

• As it does not cause surges in blood sugar and insulin, the protein in eggs is a steady and sustained source of energy.


• Eggs are rich in protein and nutrients including thiamin, riboflavin, folate, B12 and B6, the B vitamins that are essential for energy production.


• One eggs supplies more than 6 grams of high quality protein (about 13% of the daily value) which helps to preserve muscle mass and prevent muscle loss in older adults.


• Eggs are rich in leucine, an essential amino acid that helps the body use energy and muscles recover after exercise.


• Eggs have all the amino acids the body needs to build and maintain muscle mass.


• Eggs are often used as the "gold standard," a comparison for assessing the protein content of other foods.

Full article here.

Labels: eggs, healthy diet, healthy food, leucine, muscles, protein

• Butterbur. The herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus), which comes from a European shrub, shows potential for relieving seasonal allergy symptoms. In one Swiss study, butterbur was just as effective as the antihistamine Allegra for reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
• Quercetin. This flavonoid, which is found naturally in onions, apples, and black tea, has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown in research to block histamines.
• Stinging nettle. The roots and leaves of the stinging nettle plant (Urtica dioica) have been used to treat everything from joint pain to prostate problems. Although some people use freeze-dried stinging nettle leaves to treat allergy symptoms, there isn’t much research to show that it works.
• Nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation with a combination of warm water, about a quarter-teaspoon of salt, and a quarter-teaspoon of baking soda may help clear out mucus and open sinus passages. You can administer the solution through a squeeze bottle or a neti pot -- a device that looks like a small teapot.

Just because a treatment says “natural” doesn’t mean that it is safe. Some herbal remedies can cause side effects or can react with medications you’re taking. Talk to your doctor before you start taking any herb or supplement.

SOURCE

Labels: allergies, butterbur, herbs, holistic healing, nasal irrigation, natural therapy, neti pot, nettles

WebMD got the basics of Chi Running from Danny Dreyer, an ultra-marathon runner and author of the book Chi Running: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running.

Focus Your Mind: Your mind instructs your muscles to start working or relaxing. Your mind orchestrates the perfect run, starting out slowly, finding the perfect tempo, he adds. Your mind takes in the beauty of your surroundings so that you finish relaxed, and full of energy.

When you begin running, your mind must also push against the body's natural inertia. "Your body is like a dumb animal," Dreyer tells WebMD. "It will stay at rest until acted upon by an outside force like your mind. You have to train it."

Sense Your Body: Pay close attention to what your body is doing. Practice listening to any little nuances that you can detect. Feel your foot hitting the ground. Feel your posture.

Is your body moving in the way you intended it to? Is your movement easier or more difficult? Are there subtle changes you should make? As you begin running, you must develop body sense. Then you will become your own best teacher and coach, says Dreyer.

Breathe to Tap Into Chi: The more efficiently your body can take in oxygen, the easier running will feel, Dreyer explains. If you're not breathing deeply into your lower lungs, you're not getting as much air as you could -- a common problem when people begin running.

To belly-breathe, stand or sit and place your hands over your belly button. Now purse your lips as if you're trying to blow a candle out, and exhale, emptying your lungs by pulling in your belly button toward your spine. When you've blown out as much air as you can, relax your belly and the inhale will occur naturally. Practice breathing out for three steps, breathing in for two steps. Try matching your breath with your cadence.

Relax Your Muscles: Tight muscles can't get the oxygen they need. The cure is easy: Just relax! Don't take yourself so seriously. Drop your shoulders. Smile. Relax your glutes. Float like a butterfly... lighten up, says Dreyer.

When muscles are loose and relaxed, the oxygen carried in your blood can enter the muscle cells much more easily than if your muscles are tense. Keep telling your muscles, "Softer is better!"

Practice Good Posture: Your aligned body has a centerline that runs from head to foot. It is the "steel" that supports your body, which allows your arms and legs to relax. Running with your posture out of alignment creates tension and fatigue.

Stand in front of a mirror. Straighten your upper body. Then look down at your feet. If you can see your shoelaces, it's a good bet that your dots are connected in a straight line - perfect. Memorize how this feels. Practice it.

Start Slow: When you begin to run, take it gradually, says Dreyer. "Practice your posture. Really memorize what it feels like to have good posture. Feel yourself standing in straight line. Practice alternating do on one foot, then switch. Shift weight back and forth. Feel yourself keeping posture line straight while on one foot a time."

Then, it's time for a little jog. Connect with your posture. Feel your feet down at the bottom of your posture line. Start to jog slowly. When one foot hits the ground, feel it hitting at bottom of your posture line. Practice moving from one foot to the next, taking baby steps. Speed is not a factor here," Dreyer says. "That's the very last thing you should think about. You're working on form -- holding it little bit longer each time. Stretch that over a block, two blocks, three blocks. That's building distance, until you can hold your form over distance."

Thanks Fit Sugar!

Labels: belly breathing, chi flow, chi running, Danny Dreyer, exercise, posture, running, WebMD