Nutrition

Walnuts and Your Brain

Many people like to add walnuts to food to add some zest and a little crunchy kick, but walnuts are much more than a flavor additive, as they are chock full of healthy properties and have been used in Asia as an overall health tonic and brain booster for years. Let’s take a nutty look at walnuts.… Read the rest

Eating According to TCM: Five Foods for Spring

Spring is a time of renewal, regeneration, growth and energy. The plants and animals awaken from the slumber of the cold winter months. The vital nutrients that have been stored in the roots of the plants and the bodies of the animals, comes to the surface and life becomes more vibrant and fluid. Human beings are no different.… Read the rest

Fermented Foods and Intestinal Health

The modern world is changing every single day. Because of this constant state of change, our bodies are frequently having to adjust. We have a food supply being degraded and depleted of nutritional content, which in turn, causes our bodies to become depleted. Our soil and water is contaminated with antibiotics and deadly fertilizers. All of which become part of the food chain we rely upon.… Read the rest

Don’t Over-do Your Barbeque

Barbecuing in the great outdoors is fun, relaxing and brings people together. But it also means you have to be extra careful when you prepare food.

Some studies suggest that eating food charred by high-heat techniques, such as barbecuing, grilling, frying and broiling, may raise your risk for cancer. To make sure your cookout stays safe:

  • Don’t leave meat or poultry cooking over a high-heat source, like an open flame or hot metal surface, for too long.
… Read the rest

Acupuncture: Not Just Needles

Most people have heard of the field of acupuncture by now, but did you realize the scope of the practice encompasses Chinese medicine, which includes so much more than needles? Let’s explore this ancient therapy.

First of all, the practice of Chinese medicine starts with a diagnosis. The practitioner asks many questions to build a history; this includes the answers to digestion, appetite, diet, sleep patterns, bowel movement urination, pain, lifestyle, and stress level, for example.… Read the rest

Fruit, Nature’s Candy

Fruit is awesome! In addition to being high in fiber and vitamin C, most fruit is naturally low in fat, sodium and calories. Eating more of it as part of a healthy diet may even lower your risk for some chronic diseases. Plus, fruit is a great substitute for sugar in recipes and desserts.

The best time to buy different fruits is when they’re in season and at their peak flavor.… Read the rest

Eat more to gain less

Americans eat a lot more calories today than they did just a few decades ago.

Part of the problem is fast food and super-sized portions. Our food servings have doubled or tripled at restaurants – and even at home.

Another part of the problem is hidden calories in processed food. The addition of sweeteners and preservatives has an increasing effect on our waistlines.… Read the rest

Fruits and veggies the original fast food

Fruits and veggies are the original fast food. They are easy to grab and go and oftentimes, they come in their own wrapper making them convenient to carry along.

Fruits and veggies are low in calories and full of vitamins, minerals and fiber. How important are they to your diet? The United States Department of Agriculture and ChooseMyPlate.gov recommend making them half your plate at mealtime.… Read the rest

Use your plate as a canvas

Vegetables are light on calories, but packed with disease-fighting vitamins and minerals. Ideally, you should fill half your plate with them. And it’s easier than you think.

To bulk up the vegetable content of your meals:

  • Cook fresh or frozen vegetables in the microwave for a quick-and-easy dish.
  • Be ahead of the game. Cut up a batch of bell peppers, carrots or broccoli and pre-package them to use in a pinch.
… Read the rest

Eat Healthy for Less

Buying healthy food doesn’t have to hurt your wallet. You can make smart choices for
less by:

  • Going with beans instead of meat: Replace meat with canned or dried beans, which are much cheaper. Many recipes made with meat, such as chili, soups and salads, are delicious with beans.
  • Trying canned or frozen fruits and veggies: Compare the price and the serving size of fresh, canned and frozen forms of the same fruits or veggies.
… Read the rest