Nurture Your Own

Give me five minutes and I’ll provide you 1 good reason to become vegetarian.

While fish serves as the key dietary way to obtain the long-chain omega-3s eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, that have been shown to be crucial in supporting brain health, low intake of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in vegetarians does not adversely affect mood, based on a new research (Nutr J. 2010;9:26. DOI:10.1186/1475-2891-9-26).

A research team from Arizona State University conducted a cross-sectional study that compares the mood of vegetarians who never eat fish with the mood of healthy omnivorous adults.

An overall total of 138 healthy Seventh Day Adventist adults residing in Arizona and California (64 vegetarians and 79 non-vegetarians) were enrolled in the study and completed a health history questionnaire, food frequency questionnaire and 2 psychometric tests, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and also the Profile of Mood States..

Vegetarians had significantly lower mean intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and the omega-6 arachidonic acid; they had higher intakes of the omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid and the omega-6 linoleic acid.

“Seed oils are the richest sources of ?-linolenic acid, notably those of rapeseed (canola), soybeans, walnuts, flaxseed (Linseed oil), clary sage seeds, perilla, chia, and hemp.”

However, the vegetarians also reported considerably less negative emotion than omnivores in both psychometric tests. Mean total psychometric scores were positively associated with the mean intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid , and inversely related to alpha-linolenic acid and linolenic acid intake.

The research team noted there is also the chance that vegetarians may make better dietary choices and could generally be healthier and happier.

If you’d like to give it a try, here is an example of vegetarian recipe according to Italian cuisine

Italian Spaghetti with Zucchini

Ingredients:

* 17 oz. Spaghetti

* 24 oz. Of thin sliced zucchini

* 1 / 2 cup walnuts oil

* Some basil leaves

* 2 tablespoons of yeast flakes

* Salt and pepper

In a skillet or frying pan heat the oil and when hot, add garlic and zucchini. Raise the heat and stir often to finish their cooking. They should be golden and crispy outside and tender inside. Cook the pasta, drain and sauté in pan with zucchini, basil and yeast. Serve immediately.

Zucchini contain fewer calories and possess no fat. But they are a good source of potassium, vitamin e, vitamin c, folate, lutein and zeaxanthin.

Many of these nutrients are extremely sensitive to heat and to enjoy their full benefits you need to find a quick way to cook or even eat raw in salads.

From the therapeutic standpoint, zucchini have laxative, refreshing, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and detoxifying action.

About the writer – Louise Infante writes for the vegetarian weekly menu blog, her personal hobby blog dedicated to vegetarian food preparation tips to help people live better.

According to Lori, many of us are eating yeast-rich food which is damaging to our health. She said

Yeast makes a number of chemical compounds which the body picks up and absorbs. To most folks, they may not feel much effect. However, other people may have more of a sensitivity which shows up through vaginal yeast infections, diarrhea/constipation and headaches. And then there are the rest of us, whose bodies have a difficult time handling these compounds and toxins. We feel sick, but we can’t figure out why.

Penicillin is one of the earliest discovered and widely used antibiotic agents, derived from the Penicillium mold. Antibiotics are natural substances that are released by bacteria and fungi into their environment, as a means of inhibiting other organisms – it is chemical warfare on a microscopic scale.

Many of the chemicals that yeast (mold, fungi) produce are also made to kill bacteria. If you continue to eat a diet rich in yeast, or foods that yeast have produced, you are taking in a low level of antibacterial chemicals, or antibiotics, all the time.

Antibiotics kill bacteria. The problem is that they don’t know the difference between good bacteria and bad.

Each of us has a certain amount of good bacteria and yeast in our intestines. When we consume antibiotics, whether in the form of prescription drugs, or chemicals and toxins produced from our yeast rich diets, we are killing the good bacteria in the gut.

When this happens, a space has been provided for the yeast to grow. This creates an imbalance between the good bacteria, or flora, and the yeast. If we continue to eat our yeasty, highly refined, sugary diet, we provide just the food that the yeast needs to grow at rapid speed.

Check out Lori’s full article explain why it is better to focus on yeast free cooking and eating.

Common food items found in your pantry or refrigerator can have healing and rejuvenating properties for your skin. For example:
1) Honey is a natural moisturizer and defoliant and is found in many homemade skin care. Honey has been used throughout ancient times for beautiful skin, especially by the Greeks.Dairy products, especially milk and yogurt have enzymes that naturally exfoliate dead skin cells. Milk has been used for centuries for beauty skin. In fact, Cleopatra’s favorite secret beauty tip was to soak in a milk bath to keep her skin soft.

2) Vinegar has anti-itch/burn properties

3) Olive oil is a natural moisturizer and skin softener

4) Egg whites make an excellent mask and pore reducer

5) Lemon juice cleans pores and reduces excess skin oil and is good for acne prone skin

For more wonders on common food items like honey, garlic and vinegar, read Ray Collins’  The Honey Garlic and Vinegar Miracle.

Myth: Chocolate causes weight gain.

Fact: Any food can be part of a healthy diet if consumed in moderation. An average chocolate bar contains 220 calories, which is low enough to be a part of a weight control diet if other high-calorie foods are eliminated. Enjoying the occasional piece of chocolate may reduce the risk of severe bingeing, which can occur when you feel deprived of your favorite foods.

Chocolate’s bad reputation is slowly changing and research now shows that chocolate can be a part of an overall healthy lifestyle, when consumed in moderation. If you keep your portion sizes small and select dark chocolate whenever possible, the occasional treat can be a guilt-free part of your diet.

Source: Calorie Count

Additional Reading

World’s #1 Chocolate Cake Recipe for only $5

First Chocolate Recipe School On Video

Myth: Chocolate is loaded with saturated fat and is bad for your cholesterol.

Fact: Stearic acid, the main saturated fat found in milk chocolate, is unique. Research has shown that it doesn’t raise cholesterol levels the same way that other types of saturated fats do. In fact, eating a 1.4 ounce chocolate bar instead of a carbohydrate-rich snack has been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Source: Calorie Count

Additional Reading

World’s #1 Chocolate Cake Recipe for only $5

First Chocolate Recipe School On Video

Myth: Chocolate causes headaches.

Fact: While sited as a common cause of migraines, a study by the University of Pittsburgh has shown no link between chocolate and headaches. The results of that double-blind study of 63 participants known to suffer chronic headaches were published in the neurology journal Cephalalgia. Chronic headaches were once thought to be caused by amines in foods (including histamine and beta-phenylethylamine) such as cheddar cheese, peanuts, cured meats, chocolate and alcohol, but this study eliminated chocolate as a possible headache cause.

Source: Calorie Count

Additional Reading

World’s #1 Chocolate Cake Recipe for only $5

First Chocolate Recipe School On Video

Myth: Chocolate causes acne.

Fact: Regardless of what your parents or grandparents may still say, studies in the past twenty years have eliminated chocolate as a cause of acne. In fact, many dermatologists doubt that diet plays any significant role in the development of acne. Acne is now believed to be caused by a combination of high bacterial levels and oil on the skin.

Source: Calorie Count

Additional Reading

World’s #1 Chocolate Cake Recipe for only $5

First Chocolate Recipe School On Video

Myth: Chocolate causes cavities.

Fact: Candy alone is not responsible for cavities. Cavities are formed when bacteria in the mouth metabolize sugars and starches from any type of food (soda, candy, juice, bread, rice and pasta) to produce acid. This acid then eats through the enamel of the tooth, causing a cavity.
The protein, calcium and phosphate content of milk chocolate may actually protect tooth enamel, and its naturally-occurring fat content means that chocolate clears the mouth faster than other candy, reducing the amount of time its sugars remain in contact with tooth surfaces.

Regular fluoride use, proper oral hygiene to remove fermentable carbohydrate residue and the application of plastic sealants can all help prevent the formation of cavities—whether you avoid chocolate or not.

Source: Calorie Count

Additional Reading

World’s #1 Chocolate Cake Recipe for only $5

First Chocolate Recipe School On Video

Myth: Chocolate is high in caffeine.

Fact: No chocolate is actually not very high in caffeine. A 1.4-ounce chocolate bar or an 8-ounce glass of chocolate milk both contain 6 mg of caffeine, the same amount as a cup of decaffeinated coffee. (For reference, regular coffee contains about 65-135mg of caffeine.)

Source: Calorie Count

Additional Reading

World’s #1 Chocolate Cake Recipe for only $5

First Chocolate Recipe School On Video

Does Chocolate have “aphrodisiac” effects?

According to Steve Carter

First on the list of “love drugs” is phenyl-ethylamine (PEA), which also occurs naturally in the brain. PEA naturally reaches peak levels during orgasm, and administering PEA increases dopamine levels, stimulating the pleasure centers. PEA is chemically similar to amphetamine (leading to its nickname “chocolate amphetamine”), and has been shown to have similar effects: feelings of attraction, excitement, and giddiness. As a possible aphrodisiac, PEA is seen as a strong candidate by neurologists and dieticians.Second on the list of love-drugs in chocolate is tryptophan. You may be familiar with tryptophan as the reason you fall asleep after Thanksgiving dinner. Your brain uses tryptophan to make serotonin. In addition to sleepiness, serotonin can produce feelings of elation. The street drug Ecstasy works by increasing serotonin levels. Tryptophan in chocolate may induce similar feelings, albeit at a lower intensity.

Third on the list is anandamide (which means “internal bliss”). Anandamide binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, mimicking the effects of cannabinoid drugs, such as heightened sensitivity, euphoria and a sense of well-being. Cacao also contains two N-acyl-ethanolamines (NAEs) which slow the breakdown of anandamide, prolonging it’s effect. Some researchers have decried the small amounts of Andandamine in chocolate as insufficient to cause any effect. However, PEA and Andandamine may interact with each other, and the stimulants caffeine and theobromine found in chocolate. The overall effect may be romantic or sexually stimulating.

So far there is no conclusive study that chocolate has “aphrodisiac” effects, so studies concede that chocolate does make people felt a little more relaxed and joyful.

Additional Reading

World’s #1 Chocolate Cake Recipe for only $5

First Chocolate Recipe School On Video

According to a previous study, about 1-in-3 American adults have high blood pressure.

Interesting, not so for the  Kuna Indians who live on a group of islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama. Even at 60 years old or older, the average blood pressure for Kuna Indian islanders is a good 110/70.

If you think it’s because the Kuna Indians eat less salt. Well, they consumed as much, if not more salt, than the Americans.

Harvard researchers found that they ftake around 5 cups of cocoa every day. According to the study,  flavonols that are present in cocoa will  stimulate one’s body production of nitric oxide. This means, increase blood flow to your heart, brain and other organs. Interestingly, one study reported that cocoa will thin your blood just as well as low-dose aspirin!

Additional Reading
Healthy Urban Kitchen Cookbook by Antonia Valladores and Jamie Larose

Live in rooms full of light
Avoid heavy food
Be moderate in the drinking of wine
Take massage, baths, exercise, and gymnastics
Fight insomnia with gentle rocking or the sound of running water
Change surroundings and take long journeys
Strictly avoid frightening ideas
Indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements
Listen to music.

~A. Cornelius Celsus

By Nanci Elliott

I have been conducting a tremendous amount of research on the causes of herpes outbreaks in the past few years and I am now at the point where coffee is looking like a serious culprit. I could not find any medical studies directly linking caffeine to herpes outbreaks (and as there is no money to be made from linking the two, I am not sure who would ever fund this study), I did find a significant amount of data regarding coffee and the adrenal glands.

Coffee and Exhaustion: When you drink coffee, the caffeine will begin by enhancing neuron activity in your brain. This increased neuron activity sends a message to your pituitary gland to secrete a hormone which in return, sends a message to your adrenal glands to release adrenalin. Adrenaline is an important factor in the, “fight or flight” response which puts your body under great stress. Adrenaline is very important if we are being chased in a dark alley or preparing for an athletic event, but at our work desk each morning? Not so important.

Exhaustion and Herpes Outbreaks: This constant flooding of unnecessary adrenaline, coupled with the sharp drop in adrenaline as the hormone wears off, depletes our adrenal glands and can cause fatigue, headache, irritability and/or mental confusion. Continuing with the cycle for years can leave one in a state of complete exhaustion, and it is this exhaustion that in my opinion can lead to chronic herpes outbreaks.

Caffeine; where is it? I have identified coffee as a major source of caffeine but it is vital to recognize that caffeine is found in abundance in chocolate, tea (black and green), and soft drinks. If you think you are consuming too much caffeine or would like further ideas on the source of your herpes outbreaks, Nanci Elliott and her research can be found at The Herpes Blog. Nanci Elliott has been studying female genital herpes for over 20 years and her written work can be found on her blog, as well as on several other herpes information and support websites.
Additional Reading:

Stop Herpes Now and From Coming Back For Good by Dr David Hoggs

Positive Single – Support site for herpes members.

Would you like your new twist to your regular salad? Think Japanese and go for edamame. Actually, for light eaters, edamame can be your entree too.

If you go to a Japanese restaurant with their sushi or sashimi served on a conveyor belt, you will also see plates or bowls of these green pods. Start with those before you tuck in the rest. These beans will fill you slightly so that you will order less of the delicious Japanese specialties. Like other beans with pods, just break open to eat the slightly green coloured beans inside. They taste yummy.

If you prefer to go economical, buy the fresh and uncooked edamame to boil or steam them at home. If you opt to boil them, you may add some salt to the water for added favour.

Edamame soybeans provide a great combo of protein and fiber-rich carbohydrate. They stabilize your blood sugar levels and curbs your appetite for more food.

One cup edamame (in the pod) provides 180 calories, 16 grams protein and 5 grams fiber.

Additional Reading
Healthy Urban Kitchen Cookbook by Antonia Valladores and Jamie Larose

If anyone with the intention to lose fat and yet like to eat as much as they like, the only option is to select foods with fewer calories or with a lower energy density.

What is lower energy density? Food with high water and fiber content has low energy density. Eating such food will help you feel full  while you reduce your calorie intake and lose weight.

One low energy density food is fruit. However, only fresh fruits. Canned fruit usually came loaded with sweet and  heavy syrup, and that means high sugar content. Dried fruit, though a healthy choice,  has four times the energy density of fresh fruit. This is because they don’t have much water left in them.  Fresh and whole fruit has the least amount of calories and the highest amount of fullness and satisfaction.

Some fruits for your consideration are grapefruit, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew), berries (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries), papaya and peach.

Additional Reading:

The Advanced Guide to Fast Weight Loss for Busy Women

Burn the Fats Feed the Muscles

Fat Loss Secrets