Archive for August, 2008
Posted August 28th, 2008 By: admin
Mediterranean Diet: Yummy Food with High Fat Content – but without the Fat related Cardiovascular Diseases
Would you like to eat fatty foods and yet live long? Then read this post below in its entirety.
The Paradox of Mediterranean Diets
Have you ever wondered how come the Greek Gods were able to maintain their fabulous physiques? The answer may have been the Mediterranean Diet – which is based on the dietary patterns of the Mediterranean countries.
This diet is often considered to be a paradox: Although the people living in Mediterranean countries tend to consume relatively high amounts of fat, they have far lower rates of cardiovascular disease than in countries like the United States, where similar levels of fat consumption are found.
One of the explanations for this could be the use of olive oil in the Mediterranean Diet. Unlike other cooking oils, olive oil lowers the cholesterol level in the blood. It reduces the blood sugar levels and blood pressure as well.
Here are some of the characteristics of the Mediterranean Diet:
- Food is mainly comprised of plant sources such as fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds
- The diet consists of minimally processed foods. It includes fruits and vegetables in large quantities
- Olive oil is used mainly in cooking. It is the main source of fat instead of other non-healthy products.
- Dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt are consumed in small amounts on a daily basis
- Red meat is consumed only a couple of times a month
- Eggs are consumed not more than 4 times per week
- Fish and chicken are consumed only one to three times a week. However, fish is preferred over chicken
- Wine is consumed in moderation, mostly with meals
- Honey is the main sweetener
Here are a few simple tips to help you follow the Mediterranean Diet:
- First of all, replace your regular vegetable cooking oil with olive oil, which is easily available at most stores and supermarkets.
- Reduce your red meat intake. You could substitute it with chicken or fish instead.
- Have fish once or twice a week. Choose from salmon, trout, tuna, mackerel and herring.
- Increase your intake of fruits. For dessert you could have a bowl of fresh fruit. Choose from a variety of fruits.
- Keep nuts such as almonds, hazel nuts, & walnuts handy for a quick snack.
- Reduce your consumption of eggs. When baking cakes and other goodies, use
Suitable alternatives
- Use whole grain products instead of white flour products. For example: Replace your usual bread with brown bread.
- Choose natural peanut butter instead of the variety with hydrogenated fat added. Also, use butter sparingly.
- Reduce your consumption of high-fat dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt.
- Enjoy a glass of red wine along with your meals. (You should check with your doctor first)
- Use honey as a sweetener in your cookies and desserts.
Image credit: Somewhat Frank
Posted in Food & Diet | 2 Comments »
Posted August 14th, 2008 By: admin
Chia Seeds – Power Foods of the Aztecs & The Mayans
If you subscribe to any number of health related newsletters, you’re frequently presented with the latest “new discovery” which claims to be the secret to longer life, better health, etc. Now, please don’t take me wrong, there are lots of new things being discovered that may very well improve your health.
But, consider this. There are many centenarians living today who made it there before the latest “new discovery”. So, it pays to critically examine these claims.
The Case of the Chia Seeds
One product being highly promoted lately is called Salba®. The story goes that the Aztecs and Mayans used the simple grain chia (Salvia hispanica) as a basic survival food to sustain them on long marches. Because it was also used in religious ceremonies, their Spanish conquerors almost wiped it out.
Benefits of Chia
According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, chia is:
- 16 percent protein
- 31 percent fat
- and 44 percent carbohydrate
- of which 38 percent is fiber.
- Most of its fat is the essential omega-3 fatty acid – alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
- It’s also high in antioxidants… as much as 8 times higher than blueberries.
This mild tasting grain can be consumed directly with no cooking or processing. Its nutty taste is great on yogurt, salads, added to muffins, pancakes… you name it. For breakfast, I typically stir about a teaspoon of the whole grain into a half-cup of plain yogurt with a little honey, applesauce, or fresh fruit. I’ve found it sustains me all morning. On days when I only have a piece of fruit instead, I find my stomach starts getting that hollow feeling about 10:00 am.
So, as you can see, I’m impressed by chia. And I did make my first purchase of it under the brand name Salba®.
Problem:
Some Chia Is Too Expensive!
The problem is Salba® is expensive. A 16 oz bottle (which only contains 12.7 oz of chia) retails for $24.95 plus shipping. According to their website, Salba® is superior to common chia. But is this claim true?
Solution:
Chia Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive
According to Wayne Coates, Ph.D., who recently retired as research professor in the Office of Arid Lands Studies at the University of Arizona, it isn’t. Dr. Coates is author of the definitive book on the subject, Chia: Rediscovering a Forgotten Crop of the Aztecs (The University of Arizona Press, 2005). In a large part, he is responsible for the revival of chia as a commercial crop in Latin America. Dr. Coates continues to pursue research on this remarkable grain that is superior to other plant and marine sources of essential omega-3 oils.
Dr Coates also says there is no significant difference between white and black chia and has a comparison chart to prove it. As for as organic claims, he says insects don’t attack chia, so it doesn’t have to be sprayed. It’s mechanically harvested and needs no treatment at all.
Action Plan:
- Add chia to your home survival kit – it requires no refrigeration and has a long shelf life
- Add 1-4 teaspoons to your daily diet as a superior source of antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids.
- Compare prices online for chia seeds
- Don’t go after a brand name. Buy the generic chia seeds. They are as good as the expensive branded ones.
Posted in Food & Diet | No Comments »
Posted August 6th, 2008 By: Rod Newbound
As we grow older many body parts tend to well… sag. And the health and beauty industry have made fortunes with products that claim to reverse this process – at least temporarily. From $45 or more for the latest facial in a bottle to expensive spa treatments only afforded by the Hollywood elite, to tummy tucks and breast enhancements, there seems no end to the ways you can spend your money on treatments of dubious value.
Since most of this sag is directly related to the effects of gravity, one might think jumping on the next space flight might be just the ticket. After all, there’s no gravity in space, right? But, you’d be wrong…
Weightlessness Causes Similar Problems To Aging
You see life on earth evolved in the presence of gravity, and NASA has discovered many problems result in the human body in the weightlessness of space travel. And all of these problems are also present in aging.
- Cardiovascular deconditioning
- Balance disorders
- Weakening bones and muscles
- Disturbed sleep
- Depressed immune response
To top it off, Science Daily reports on a study done at Georgetown University Medical Center that indicates space radiation may cause prolonged cellular damage to astronauts. Beyond that, this damage could result in premature aging and an increased risk of colon cancer.
Now that your hopes of buying a house in space and living forever are crushed, what can you do?
Does Exercise Work?
There’s little doubt exercise can be of value, but it’s not easy. My wife who is on the downhill slide of her 40s complains the sags are persistent. This despite doing Pilates, weight workouts, and jogging 3 times a week for over a year.
So whats one to do?
Combining Weightlessness and Yoga: AntiGravity Yoga
I don’t know if it’s possible to do yoga in space, but Christopher Harrison has created AntiGravity Yoga. AntiGravity Yoga is a fitness regime designed to increase one’s overall health and physical agility while having fun and creating beauty. The benefits listed on their website include:
- Decompress tight joints, relieving pressure while aligning the vertebrae of the spine without strain
- Perform advanced yoga inversions without neck or back compression
- Hold challenging yoga postures longer and in correct alignment
- Stretch further with less strain
- Create better body awareness while increasing overall agility
AntiGravity Yoga is done with using the AntiGravity Hammock, which acts as a soft trapeze, supporting you as you master simple suspension techniques leading to advanced inverted poses. But unfortunately, just like space travel, it’s not available to everyone.
AntiGravity Yoga movement called “Wings” is started by and remains exclusive to Crunch Gyms. But currently AntiGravity Yoga classes are only available in LA, San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, & New York City. If you live near one of these, you can get more information by visiting the AntiGravity Yoga website.
At this time it appears they have no “home version” of the antigravity yoga. But we’ll keep an eye out for home versions of antigravity yoga. And let you know about it.
Posted in Exercise | 1 Comment »
Posted August 4th, 2008 By: Ahalya
Garlic – Fights Cold, Chest Infections, Heart Attacks & Cancer
Garlic? Seriously?
Garlic equals bad breath; raw garlic equals really bad breath. With this equation firmly entrenched in our mind it is no wonder that this herb has received bad press over the years. However, the medicinal benefits of garlic remain largely undisputed.
One of the first herbs to be recognized for its therapeutic abilities, garlic was considered divine in Egypt. Even though most western countries shunned it for a very long time, this pungent bulb now has an ever-growing tribe of believers.
Garlic: Cheap and Effective Medicine
Garlic is useful not just in the kitchen but also in your medicine kit. It can thin blood just like aspirin and can therefore prevent heart attacks.
It prevents arteries from clogging, and reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is also used liberally in soups to clear up a cold or chest infections. It is also used to treat intestinal worms and fungal infections, and not just in humans.
The most important thing is that garlic is said to have anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that it can prevent digestive cancers, breast and prostate cancer.
All this at only 4 calories per clove, which is not bad at all, but eating too much raw garlic can result in heartburn, flatulence and diarrhoea and sometimes, skin rashes.
Why Is Garlic Smelly?
Garlic contains more than a hundred sulphur compounds but has a fairly neutral smell until it is cut or crushed. On doing so, one of the compounds it releases is alliin, which turns into allicin that can be absorbed into the bloodstream and lungs. Allicin ensures that garlic is kept safe from soil parasites and fungi and it is also guilty of the pungent smell that most people cannot stand.
However, this compound is invaluable because of its anti-microbial properties; it can kill 23 types of bacteria, including salmonella and staphylococcus. In fact, the more you chop or crush garlic, the more you reap its benefits.
Unfortunately, smelly allicin makes its way out through exhaled air and perspiration, which brings us back to the bad breath.
Beating Bad Breath
Cooked garlic doesn’t smell too bad, especially if you also add lots of parsley or coriander. This might not work if you plan on having lots of garlic. Note however, that allicin starts to lose its powers almost as soon as it is produced, so it is a good idea to add garlic in the dish just before you serve it.
As the fear of drug-resistant bacteria grips the world, garlic steps up as the likely saviour. It seems that bacteria would be unable to fight allicin without completely changing its enzymes that cause various diseases.
So, on your pizzas, in soups, in stir-fry veggie dishes and just plain fried in butter, don’t just turn your nose up against garlic, it’s there for a pretty good reason.
Posted in Food & Diet | 5 Comments »
