Monday, 4 September 2017
Sunday, 3 September 2017
The Rap on Berries
I have to admit the "what's cooking" question can challenge the best of us in the food universe, but a visit to the farmer's market can provide the solution in solving this dining dilemma. On my most recent visit I was drawn to the raspberries and blueberries.
The berry family has plenty of positives to benefit those on the path to well-being. They are low in calories, high in Vitamin C, fiber and folate. Additionally they contain heaps of antioxidants which aid in heart health, boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation and bad cholesterol and preventing blood clots. Adding to these umbrella benefits, the individual berries bring other health benefits to the table.
Raspberries are available in red, gold, purple and black, but the reds are the most popular. Raspberries are low in calories, and sodium; they are an excellent source of vitamin C, and a good source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Red raspberries also contain manganese, copper and Vitamin K. The richly colored red raspberry is high in both antioxidants and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are defined by the American Cancer Society as plant compounds that include lycopene, resveratrol and carotenoids that are thought to have health protecting qualities.
The phytonutrients contained in raspberries aid in lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Though the research is continuing recent data indicates the potential for the fruit to play a role in obesity management.
Raspberries are delicate and should be gently washed in cool water and patted dry just before using them. They are more flavorful if allowed to come to room temperature before eating, rather than eating them as soon as they come out of the refrigerator.
Blueberries, labeled as one of the "superfoods" are also high in antioxidants including the phytonutrient anthocyanins. It is the anthocyanins that give the fruit the deep blue-purple color. The fruit is low in calories, sodium-free and a good source of vitamins C and K, manganese, fiber and copper.
Blueberry consumption is linked to antioxidant support, with a protective effect on the entire body in addition to the cardiovascular system. There is evidence that blueberries can protect the retina from damage from sunlight, and assist in maintaining the blood-sugar balance in people affected by type 2 diabetes or who are insulin resistant. Recent research indicates that consumption of blueberries may play a role in improving memory and delaying the onset of age-related cognitive problems.
As with raspberries, blueberries require gentle washing and patting dry just before using, they should be stored in the refrigerator. Blueberries can be frozen but for optimum nutrition content, fresh is best.
As for what's cooking-fresh berry salads tossed with arugula and assorted baby lettuce plus toasted nuts; berries and cottage cheese or Greek-style yogurt; fruit smoothies made with almond milk; grilled pork tenderloin with blueberries or raspberries; whole-grain pizza spread with Greek-style yogurt, and toppings of thin-sliced ham and berries of course!
Take Away: Raspberries and blueberries have nutrient star status. Add them to your meals as part of your well-being lifestyle plan.
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Saturday, 2 September 2017
5 Good Mood Foods
it comes to your mood, there are certain things that can build you up or bring you down hard. Even if you are having a great day, put the wrong thing in your mouth and suddenly you could find yourself inexplicably down in the dumps. Conversely, the worst day ever can often be counterbalanced - if not entirely counteracted - by "good mood foods" which, while they may not provide the culturally-promised satisfaction that a gallon of ice cream will, will actually help you focus on resolving your problems rather than railing against them.
Here are 5 "good mood foods" that you can count on to boost your spirits and keep you more positive in general when the going gets tough:
1. Turkey
Turkey contains serotonin, which your body needs in order to avoid mood swings, unhealthy food cravings and anxiety. A turkey sandwich may be just the thing to lighten and brighten a gray day.
2. Bananas
Bananas are high in potassium, which gives you energy and also keeps your muscles from feeling fatigued. A banana a day may do just as good a job - if not better - than an apple at keeping the doctor away. If you are stressed out and starting to feel it physically, a banana can help you counteract these effects.
3. Citrus fruits
Need a little boost in the bedroom? Citrus fruits contain vitamins and minerals that boost sperm count and improve your odds of an orgasm. People who are satisfied in the bedroom tend to operate on a more even keel outside it, so drinking a glass of pure orange juice could go a long way toward evening out your mood issues.
4. Whole grains
A moderate amount of carbohydrates in your diet can help keep your blood sugar stable. This is good because it enables you to focus and remain calm under stress. However, refined carbohydrates actually make your blood sugar less stable, so stick to whole grains to insure that you are helping the situation rather than exacerbating it.
5. Salmon
Salmon contains fatty acids called omega 3's. These essential fish oil nutrients have been proven to prevent and alleviate clinical depression among many other psychological issues. However, to get the full effects of omega 3 fatty acids (which include memory sharpness, increased focus and heart health) you would need to eat as much as two pounds of salmon a day. As a result, most people prefer to get their fishy "good mood food" in the form of a dietary supplement. Just make sure that your omega 3 supplements are made from Arctic Circle salmon to insure purity.
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Friday, 1 September 2017
Walking Vs Running - What's Best For You?
When considering the issue for walking vs running, there are numerous kinds of factors to consider.
Let's make this much simpler by itemizing all the positives and negatives of walking vs running.
Running Pro's
It's an extremely quick way to get fitter
It's relatively cheap to do
It's simple, you don't need any distinct ability or talents.
You'll get a genuine high after ending your runs
Running Negatives
It's normally too over facing for newbies and anybody who is weighty
It places a large amount of strain on the joints of the ankles, knees, hips and lower back.
You'll have to get hold of a pair of high-quality (often costly) trainers
Most people don't take pleasure in the feeling of forcing themselves out of their comfort zone that far.
Walking Pro's
You are able to walk any place and at anytime.
If you're battling to fit in a walk some day, it's super easy to build up your steps by walking around your house
You actually don't need to have any specialized accessories
Your walking workouts starts whenever you exit your front door
You don't need to get sweaty or work very hard
You can work at different intensities for the way you feel.
It's an exceptionally satisfying type of exercise that is also really sociable
Walking Disadvantages
It's considered being 'too easy'
You have to be constant to see any results
The fitness benefits won't be as fast as with other physical activities
When you're reviewing walking vs running it's advisable to think of your former experiences of exercise and what you really enjoy or dislike about it. If you'd prefer pushing yourself to the limit then you might instantly think that running is the only choice.
However this is far from the truth.
You could consider employing level 4 power walking or possibly quickly walking up a difficult slope on a hill or a running machine. I promise if you walk as quickly as you can on the steepest incline you can use that you'll be shattered by the end of it.
When comparing walking vs running with regards to which is the most powerful choice for you to use to shed weight, then I advise that you look at it like this. Many people would run perhaps a couple times per week when getting started and they'd be successful to run a maximum of 5 minutes in total. This could burn approximately 150 - 200 calories from fat.
However if they as a substitute went for a regular walk for half an hour at a time they would burn significantly more calories, as many as 1400 each week depending on how quick and what surface was walked over.
So there are many reasons to take into consideration before choosing walking vs running, it's not necessarily the obvious option which you may think.
Discover just HOW EFFECTIVE walking vs running can be for burning fat and toning all those hard to reach places.
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