Striving4Zen

If you're watching your calorie intake, some fruit choices may be better than others. "Some fruits are similar to breads, pastas, and other high-carbohydrate foods, so you want to be smart about choosing fruits that are lower in sugar," says Iva Young, author of Healthy Mom (Yorkshire, 2010). Here are Young's top five low-sugar fruit picks:

Raspberries

Raspberries are an excellent source of fiber, offering 30 percent of the recommended daily value in a single serving, says Young. They also provide a rich dose of vitamin C (50 percent DV), and rank near the top of all fruits for antioxidant content. Try our seasonal Raspberry, Apple, and Frisee Salad, pictured above.

Blackberries

Blackberries also contain terrific amounts of vitamin C and other antioxidants, as well as abundant fiber, vitamin K, folic acid, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, says Young. A unique way to get blackberries (other than straight out of the carton): Pan-Seared Tilapia with Blackberry Sauce.

Kiwifruit

Kiwi, along with fiber, contains lots of vitamin C and vitamin K, plus -- surprise -- just slightly less potassium than a banana. "Potassium is one of those nutrients that’s absolutely essential for heart health, yet many people don’t get nearly enough," says Young. One healthy and delicious combo: Kiwi and Carambola Tart (if you can't find carambola, aka star fruit, use pineapple).

Strawberries

Strawberries are a dieter's best friend: low in calories, high in fiber. (Seeing a berry theme here? That's right: All berries are loaded with fiber and nutrients, making them one of the best possible fruit picks. Just be sure to choose organic strawberries; berries appear prominently on the "Dirty Dozen" list of highest pesticide residues.) "Strawberries are also an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids, promoting lots of antioxidant activity in the body," says Young. Here's a seasonal favorite for adults and kids alike: Easy Strawberry Tart with Oat-Cinnamon Crust.

Oranges

Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin A and the highest amount of vitamin C for any citrus; they also provide powerful antioxidants and, of course, fiber (when you eat the pulp), says Young. Interestingly, "the white pith of the orange also contains flavonoids, and some doctors are even using extracts from the pith to help fight certain types of cancer," says Young. One of our favorite ways to include pith in cooking: this sophisticated but easy recipe for Olive Oil Cake with Citrus Compote.

Labels: Arctium lappa fruit extract, healthy eating, healthy snacks, low sugar

Seed	Nutrients	Find it	Use it	Factoid
Chia	Phosphorous, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, calcium.	Supplement section; in some granolas.	Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of mild-tasting chia over salads or rice.	This tiny seed — of Chia Pet fame — comes from a Central American plant related to mint.
Flax	Fiber, omega-3s, and lignan — a phytoestrogen that may reduce breast-cancer risk.	Bulk or flour section; in some granolas, energy bars, and chips.	Must be ground to digest. Add 1-2 tablespoons nutty flaxseed to oatmeal, smoothies, or muffin batter.	Also called linseed, flaxseed hails from the same plant used to make linen.
Hemp	Protein; well balanced omega-3s and 6s, which may reduce cancer and heart-disease risk.	Refrigerated section; in some granolas.	Add 1-2 tablespoons of these rich shelled seeds to trail mix, granola, or tabbouleh.	Hemp is the only crop that is illegal to grow in the U.S. but legal to import.
Pumpkin	Phytosterols — plant compounds that help reduce cholesterol.	Bulk or flour section; in some granolas and energy bars.	Toss 1 ounce toasted seeds in salads three times per week.	Also called pepitas, seeds can be dried and roasted at home.

Labels: chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds

Nut	Number of Nuts	Calories
Almonds, raw	14	97
Almonds, dry-roasted, salted	14	98
Brazil nuts, dried	3	93
Cashews, raw	10	98
Cashews, oil-roasted, salted	9	96
Hazelnuts, dry-roasted	10	102
Macadamias, raw	5	102
Macadamias, dry-roasted, salted	5	102
Peanut, raw	17	99
Peanut, oil-roasted, salted	16	96
Pecan halves	10	98
Pine nuts, dried	77	100
Pistachios, dry-roasted, unsalted	29	99
Pistachios, oil-roasted, salted	29	99
Walnuts, dried	13	104

Labels: Calories, Nuts

Signs and Symptoms of Blood Deficiency

Typical signs and symptoms of blood deficiency include:

-history of irregular periods

-light and short menstrual bleeding

-amenorrhea (complete cessation of periods)

-fatigue especially during and after periods

-dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss

-thin body constitution

-tingling and numbness in extremities, muscle tension

-tendency toward constipation and dry stools

-pale complexion, pale tongue, thin and weak pulse

How is Blood Deficiency Treated?

Blood deficiency responds well to dietary changes and usage of blood building herbal tonics. To enrich blood with nutrition there are two general approaches: improving digestive function and absorption of nutrients and adding blood building foods. General guidelines for improving overall digestive function include:

-remove processed and denatured foods from your diet

-reduce or completely avoid sugar

-include fresh vegetables on daily basis

-eat fruit when in season

-consume only best quality organic meats

-regularly consume fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kefir, miso,

-drink only room temperature water and herbal tea, avoid fruit juices, coffee (especially decaf), sodas, energy drinks

Foods that are specifically used to build blood include:

-animal protein: chicken/beef liver, lamb,beef, chicken, turkey, gelatin, mussels, oysters, sardines, eggs

-grains: rice, oats, wheat, bran flakes, millet

-legumes: lentils, beans (black, kidney, navy, pinto), garbanzo beans, mung beans,

-vegetables: green leafy veggies (swiss chard, spinach, kale), beets, seaweed, sprouts, artichokes, mushrooms, cabbage, celery, watercress

-fruits: cherries, all berries (blackberry, raspberry…), grapes, dried apricots, dried figs, prunes

-nuts and seeds: almond, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, cashew

-herbs/other: nettles, wheat grass, spirulina, royal jelly, mugwort, white peony root, angelica root, rhemannia root, blackstrap molasses

General suggestions:

-chew your food properly

-sit down when you eat and avoid watching TV, reading, talking on the phone while eating

-try to rest as much as possible during your period and keep you body well dressed and warm

-don’t exercise to the point of exhaustion

-use meditation or any other mind calming exercises that help you relax

Red Peony

Labels: acupuncture, blood building foods, fertility