Popcorn

Popcorn is an all time favorite.
It can be a healthy snack since it is low in calories and contains a nice dose of fiber.

If you love this snack as I do... be careful to avoid those microwave popcorn options. Most varieties are loaded with artificial flavors, excess sodium and fat. Plus they can expose you to chemicals that are added to the artificial butter flavoring and used in the lining of microwavable popcorn bags.

For a more natural and safe alternative, opt for an air popper.
They are inexpensive and quite easy to use. Just air pop the popcorn and top it with your favorite toppings! If you are cutting back on your butter quota....try Olive Oil! You will be surprised how great the Olive Oil/Popcorn combo can taste!

Happy Popping!

Superfoods!

I am a huge fan of Superfoods!

My personal definition of a Superfood is:
any food that contains a large percentage of nutritional value.
Although I love to eat and experience a variety of foods,
I try make sure that I incorporate Superfoods
into my diet to be certain that my body is getting optimal nutrition.
I am a firm believer in the theory that what we are are what we eat.
We can't continually eat a high fat, high sugar, or high refined carb diet
and expect our bodies to function well.
It you think about it, we can only consume so much food on any given day. If we mainly fill up on foods that aren't nourishing our body we won't have an appetite left for anything else.
So, the key is to make smart choices by incorporating some of the
foods we know are good for us like:

Fruits and vegetables!
An apple and some nut butter is always a great snack option

Try choosing a salad instead of french fries with that "Turkey" burger

Make a smoothie in the morning with loads of berries (frozen is fine).
Add some yogurt and throw in some walnuts or flax seeds to get a dose of Omega 3's.
Adding a scoop of protein makes this an exceptional choice.

Dining out?....choose to order a simple grilled piece
of chicken or fish with a side of vegetables and a salad.
Eating out is a wonderful experience...
The key is to indulge once or twice a week and order whatever you want.
However, if you dine out daily you may want to make the healthier choice 80% of the time.
Your body and your scale with thank you.

Now the superfoods!!

Here is a fantastic list with beautiful photos and an explanation of the value of each food.
25 Superfoods

Happy Superfood Sunday!

BEST Sleep Positions

Getting a good nights sleep is an imperative aspect in keeping our bodies
happy and healthy.

Many people that I know, myself included, have various issues with back pain.
I recently found this great article with various sleep position ideas to help alleviate those aches and pains associated with improper sleep positions.....This is especially helpful if you suffer from any type of previous back injury like I do.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/best-sleep-positions

Start the week off with a comfortable sleep position tonight...
Happy Sleep!

Plastics and your Microwave

I heard long ago that I should not be using plastic

containers to heat food in the microwave.

I just read an article that I believe succinctly defines WHY we should avoid doing this.

It is by Dr. Andrew Weil....He has so much great information. Dr. OZ is another Favorite of mine for his up to minute information on our health and the future of medicine.

More info from OZ later...

For now, here is the latest from Dr. Weil on plastics and your microwave.

It's not uncommon to see people microwaving leftovers in plastic dishes, heating up meals in the plastic containers they come in, or placing plastic wrap over foods to protect the inside of a microwave from splatters. Is all this as innocent as it seems?

I don't think so. While plastic has many terrific uses, when it comes to cooking it should be avoided. DEHA [di-(2-ethylhexyl)adipate], sometimes found in cling wrap, and other chemicals commonly found in plastic are potential endocrine disrupters, and can negatively influence hormonal activity. While studies are underway to better define the health risks associated with plastics, it is best to steer clear of using plastic and plastic wrap in the microwave, as the heat can drive plastic molecules into your food. Instead, use glass or ceramic containers and cover foods with waxed paper or a paper towel. I also suggest avoiding pre-packaged foods that come in cling wrap (if you purchase such products, transfer these items to a different storage container once you get home).

Chemicals in our grooming products

I recently came across a website that offers an enormous depth of information relating to the chemicals present in cosmetics, lotions, etc....
Basically the grooming aids that we use daily.
We have all heard at least once that many of our favorite products contain chemicals that have been proven to promote toxicity and disease in our bodies. I have found it difficult to cut out my favorite products completely. I may have removed 40 %, which after looking at this site does not seem like enough. However, for now I am pleased that I have done that much!
The site is http://safecosmetics.org/
It is a great way to educate yourself on the chemicals present in various brands of products. The best part is that it will help you understand WHY it is so important to stop using certain products. I think we need to understand WHY we need to change a habit, in order
to desire to change. Change is hard enough as it is.

My personal philosophy is to at least cut out some of the things I use often like body lotion. There are so many great options out there that are chemical free and still work amazingly well. The rest I will just approach with the "all things in moderation" mindset, until I can find
some new chemical free products to replace my favorite face cream and makeup.
I have been able cut out my nail polish!!
After reading this website that deletion seems like some sort of victory!
Apparently the chemicals in standard Nail polish are suspected to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Yikes! The good thing is there are some great products without those chemicals....some of which you can even buy at the drugstore. So, why bother with the chemically laden products. It's a no brainer. I will post some of those products later.

To all of you who have successfully removed chemically laden products from your life, I say Congratulations as it is no easy task!

For the rest of us, knowledge is our best advocate in helping to create change.
Little by little, more and more companies will create naturally based products that don't have the potential to make us or our environment sick.
Therefore, our options will ultimately be plentiful and cost efficient.

For anyone looking to master your knowledge on how these chemicals effect us....
check out this book I just started reading.
It is called: SLOW DEATH BY RUBBER DUCK by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie
"The secret dangers of everyday things"

It is extremely informative.
You can't help but become more aware after reading this book.

3 Cheers for Broccoli

Broccoli is a nutrient dense cruciferous vegetable that has
found it's way into many soups, veggie platters, and is often found as a side dish.
Hopefully you like the taste of broccoli but,
did you know how valuable it can be for your health?
check this out...

Broccoli:

Promotes a Healthy Nervous System
It has a high level of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), which can help calm the nervous system and nourish nerve fibers.

Supports Bone Health
It is a good source of vitamin k and calcium which will nourish your bones to keep them strong
thus preventing osteoporosis.

Can Improve Energy
It has high levels of vitamin C that will boost your immune system and energy levels!

The Nutrients in Broccoli may help protect that body against disease as it is loaded with antioxidants. The best way to reap the nutritional benefits from broccoli is to steam it, unlike boiling which can destroy the nutrients your body is craving!

Include broccoli in your diet.
Steam a cup or two on a Sunday and
add it to your meals throughout the week.

New Study on Blood Pressure

I just read an interesting article by Dr Andrew Weil on a new study for Blood Pressure reduction.
It is insightful and thought provoking.
Here it is...

Lower Carbs and Blood Pressure

A low-carbohydrate diet may be more effective to lower blood pressure than the weight-loss drug orlistat combined with a low-fat diet. In a year-long study, investigators at Duke University Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Durham, N.C. compared the effects of the two weight loss strategies in 146 overweight men and women who had obesity-related health problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol and arthritis as well as high blood pressure. One group of participants followed a low-carb diet and the other combined orlistat with a low-fat diet. Over the course of the study, participants in both groups lost an average of 10 percent of their body weight, but 47 percent of those on the low-carb diet were able to reduce or discontinue medication they took for high blood pressure; only 21 percent of those in the other group were able to do the same. Exactly how the low-carb diet achieved those results isn't known yet. The study was published in the Jan. 25, 2010 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

My take? These findings are very interesting. If confirmed, we need to learn what it is about a low-carb diet that helps lower blood pressure so much more effectively than losing the same amount of weight with another strategy, or consider why a high-carb diet might raise blood pressure. In addition to weight loss, you may be able to lower high blood pressure by quitting smoking if that's an issue, limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, cutting back on salt (processed foods are the biggest sources of sodium in today's western diet) and practicing relaxation methods. -Andrew Weil