I like to keep all kinds of fresh herbs in little plastic bags in the door of my freezer. That way we can conveniently add their gourmet flavor to our cooking.
Researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have found that herbs are an abundant source of potent antioxidant compounds. They recommend including more in the diet as an easy, tasty, and virtually no-calorie way to reduce risk for cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Science Daily published a summary of the study from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
The healthful chemicals in herbs exert their protective effect via two means. First, the antioxidants are able to neutralize free radicals, thereby reducing inflammation and protecting our body tissues from oxidative damage. Another important function of the healthful phytochemicals in herbs is their ability to detoxify the body.Read the rest of this entry »
I found this recipe in the November 2009 issue of Cooking Light and when my daughter, Shena, said she’d make me anything I wanted for my recent 58th birthday, I excitedly brought out the magazine. Since I love cheesecake, pumpkin pie, and cooking with spirits, I knew this was going to be fabulous… and it was!
Since our family is large, we made two pies. One was finished off on Tuesday and the other we kept in the extra refrigerator in the garage until our Sunday family meal. It kept perfectly and was just as delicious!Read the rest of this entry »
Elevated blood pressure is a leading indicator of circulatory system dysfunction. When blood vessels contain the plaque of atherosclerosis, the unhealthy fats in our diet cause the red blood cells to clump together and move sluggishly instead of flowing freely. Additionally, the high-fat American diet causes arteries to spasm and constrict, further reducing blood flow for 4 to 6 hours after a meal.
Where arterial plaque exists, less space is available for blood to flow through. In addition, a loss of elasticity in the walls creates further resistance to blood flow. Consequently, the heart has to pump harder to force circulation through the narrow and stiff arteries. This causes pressure on the walls of the vessels to rise.Read the rest of this entry »
There currently is a growing trend for calorie disclosure of menu items. However, you can’t trust that these are accurate. A report on the lack of accuracy in restaurant calorie counts is in this month’s issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and comes from research done at Tufts University .
Here are some of the findings:
An order of Szechuan-style asparagus from P.F. Chang’s, which was listed at 260 calories, actually contained 558. And the Taco Bell Chicken Taco Salad, listed as 326 calories, was actually 607 calories!
In some cases, serving size is the culprit. A side order of grits from Denny’s is listed at 86 calories. However, the 262-gram serving delivered to patrons is twice as large as the 113-gram serving on the menu. Total calories: 258.
Another problem is that low-calorie entrees often come with high-calorie side dishes that aren’t included in the counts for the dish. For example, the petite sirloin steak served at Ruby Tuesday’s is slightly under the posted calorie count of 271. However, it’s accompanied by broccoli and a baked potato, which add another 667 calories.
Consumers can expect restaurateurs to err on the side of lower calories and neglect to mention anything that could discourage buying. Just like it’s necessary to scrutinize labels in the grocery store to avoid harmful substances, a little detective work whenever you eat out is a good preventive health measure.
I planted an Amber Sweet Orange tree three years ago when we moved into our current home and a Pummelo the year after. They both produced quantities of fruit this winter. The orange (pictured in front of the vase of sesanquas) is easy to peel, very sweet and juicy.
Pummelos are related to grapefruit, but are much larger and have a sweeter, less acidic flavor. The sections are delicious, peeled and eaten out of hand - my children love them!
This also happens to be the season for cranberries. Because of their tartness, these amazing berries are rarely consumed except in sugar-filled sauces and baked goods.
Did you know that cranberries contain one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants of any fruit? Research conducted at the University of Scranton, Pa, found cranberries to contain the highest level of phenol antioxidants when compared to 19 other common fruits, including apples, grapes, strawberries, pineapples, citrus, and bananas.Read the rest of this entry »
The health benefits of olive oil are well substantiated by research and are due to a number of factors, including the type of fat (monosaturated) and antioxidant content. Additionally, there are a number of different types and grades of olive oil and only certain ones are protective. In Mediterranean countries where people use this oil as their primary fat and eat little meat, there are much lower rates of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Cardio-Protective
Studies reveal that when particles of LDL cholesterol contain monounsaturated fat from olive oil, they have greater resistance to becoming oxidized by free radicals and being converted into sticky lipid peroxides. Since only lipid peroxides are able to adhere to artery walls, protecting cholesterol molecules from oxidation is critical to reducing risk for cardiovascular disease.Read the rest of this entry »
Along with all the joys of the holiday season, there can also be a great deal of stress and the maladies that accompany. Ginger’s long history of multiple health and culinary uses merits its greater use in our daily lives as we seek natural remedies to everyday ills.
Tummy Troubles
Next time you have an aching head or upset stomach, have a cup of ginger tea. It’s been known to help relieve numerous stress-related ailments including headache and sour stomach. Ginger is also able to ease symptoms of food poisoning including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In our family, we enjoy a flavorful tea made by Twinnings called Herbal Revive. It contains lemon and ginger in addition to some herbs.Read the rest of this entry »
This is our family’s most treasured recipe for banana bread. It’s very moist and includes raisins and nuts. We always double it.
Most of my children prefer the taste of white flour over whole wheat. Recently, a new flour called White Wheat has appeared in supermarkets. It’s made from a wheat berry that is light colored and milder in flavor than ordinary wheat. Publix market has it in the King Arthur brand.
White wheat looks and tastes pretty much the same as refined flour, but has more nutrition. This is an easy way to sneak whole grain flour into your family’s diet. White wheat is slightly heavier due to its higher fiber content, but not enough to matter.Read the rest of this entry »
Alzheimer’s is primarily a disease of affluence. Like the health conditions that usually precede it, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, AD is largely the result of a lifetime of poor diet and insufficient physical activity.
Incidence
More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s. One out of every eight people over 65 has the disease. And for those over 85, it’s almost one out of every two.
When baby boomers reach 65 in 2011, these numbers will skyrocket as the incidence of Alzheimer’s is doubling every 20 years. Numbers of victims have been rapidly escalating since the 1970’s, coinciding with the rapid take-off of the fast food industry.
Devastating Dementia
AD impairs language, perception, planning skills, and reasoning as well as memory. Forgetting where you laid your comb doesn’t mean you have AD, but not remembering what a comb is for, does! Although most adults begin to notice memory lapses in their 40’s and 50’s, scientists believe the neurological changes of Alzheimer’s typically begin much earlier.Read the rest of this entry »
It’s now known that brain regeneration continues throughout adulthood. Building brain reserves through healthy lifestyle is currently our best defense. The following strategies can dramatically reduce your risk of developing AD:
1. Regular Physical Activity
No other lifestyle choice has as much impact on aging and Alzheimer’s as exercise. In a 2009 review of literature from the International Journal of Clinical Practice, scientists documented that over time, physical activity effectively reduces the probability of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
To maximize your benefit: a) Exercise for 30 minutes to an hour on most days. Five workouts a week can reduce your risk by as much as 35%. b) Build muscle. Lifting weights not only increases muscle, it helps prevent brain drain. Combining aerobics and strength work is better than either activity alone. Adding 2-3 strength sessions to a weekly exercise routine cuts risk in half for those over 65.Read the rest of this entry »
I like to keep all kinds of fresh herbs in little plastic bags in the door of my freezer. That way we can conveniently add their gourmet flavor to our cooking.
I found this recipe in the November 2009 issue of Cooking Light and when my daughter, Shena, said she’d make me anything I wanted for my recent 58th birthday, I excitedly brought out the magazine. Since I love cheesecake, pumpkin pie, and cooking with spirits, I knew this was going to be fabulous… and it was!
Elevated blood pressure is a leading indicator of circulatory system dysfunction. When blood vessels contain the plaque of atherosclerosis, the unhealthy fats in our diet cause the red blood cells to clump together and move sluggishly instead of flowing freely. Additionally, the high-fat American diet causes arteries to spasm and constrict, further reducing blood flow for 4 to 6 hours after a meal.
There currently is a growing trend for calorie disclosure of menu items. However, you can’t trust that these are accurate. A 
I planted an Amber Sweet Orange tree three years ago when we moved into our current home and a Pummelo the year after. They both produced quantities of fruit this winter. The orange (pictured in front of the vase of sesanquas) is easy to peel, very sweet and juicy.
The health benefits of olive oil are well substantiated by research and are due to a number of factors, including the type of fat (monosaturated) and antioxidant content. Additionally, there are a number of different types and grades of olive oil and only certain ones are protective. In Mediterranean countries where people use this oil as their primary fat and eat little meat, there are much lower rates of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Along with all the joys of the holiday season, there can also be a great deal of stress and the maladies that accompany. Ginger’s long history of multiple health and culinary uses merits its greater use in our daily lives as we seek natural remedies to everyday ills. 
This is our family’s most treasured recipe for banana bread. It’s very moist and includes raisins and nuts. We always double it.
Alzheimer’s is primarily a disease of affluence. Like the health conditions that usually precede it, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, AD is largely the result of a lifetime of poor diet and insufficient physical activity.
It’s now known that brain regeneration continues throughout adulthood. Building brain reserves through healthy lifestyle is currently our best defense. The following strategies can dramatically reduce your risk of developing AD:
