I have used this recipe often and you can change it up with different seasonings. The panko crumbs make it crispy.
2 boneless chicken breasts or other favorite pieces
Dipping mixture
2 egg whites or 1 egg
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 lemon juiced
Crusting mixture
1 cup dry bread crumbs, I use panko crumbs
1/4 cup of flour
seasonings
1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, and/or 1/2 tsp of garlic powder or 1 tsp of Emerils seasoning, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Any seasoning that you like.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Blend dipping mixture well in a shallow dish, blend crusting mixture well in another shallow dish. Dip chicken in egg mixture and then in crusting mixture. Place on rack on baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes till done.
Or saute chicken in 3 tbsp of oil till golden brown and finish in oven.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Benefits of Teas
More good news about drinking tea, who knew that this plant had so many benefits. I grew up drinking tea. My earliest memory being of my Irish grandmother fixing my tea with sugar and whole milk. I was sitting at at small oilcloth covered table in the kitchen of her San Francisco home watching her throw tea leaves in the big black tea kettle which was heating over the wood/coal burning stove. It is funny what you remember, it was the best first cup of tea ever!
(from 'Positively Ageless' by Cheryl Forberg)
Green or black tea comes from the same plant. The distinction between the two is fermentation. Fermented tea leaves are black, a result of oxidized enzymes in the leaf. The potent concentration of antioxidants they contain is dependent on a variety of factors; most notably, the processing.
Green tea is exposed to high temperatures immediately after harvesting, preserving the green pigment,which prevents the key antioxidant compounds, epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG) from being oxidized.
Green tea;
Boasts cardioprotective benefits including decreased cholesterol absorption,less clotting and reudced oxidaton of LDL cholesterol.
Suppresses cancer-cell activity in all stages of development, its most prostective powers have been shown against stomach and colon cancers.
Boosts metabolism, as suggested by a study of EGCG, people who drank 3-4 cups of green tea daily burned an additional 80 calories per day
Fights tooth decay with natural fluorine.
Black tea provides;
More protection against skin cancers caused by ultraviolet radiation than green tea does.
Antibacerial and antiviral properties, such as killing the bacteria behind cavity-causing plaque.
(from 'Positively Ageless' by Cheryl Forberg)
Green or black tea comes from the same plant. The distinction between the two is fermentation. Fermented tea leaves are black, a result of oxidized enzymes in the leaf. The potent concentration of antioxidants they contain is dependent on a variety of factors; most notably, the processing.
Green tea is exposed to high temperatures immediately after harvesting, preserving the green pigment,which prevents the key antioxidant compounds, epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG) from being oxidized.
Green tea;
Boasts cardioprotective benefits including decreased cholesterol absorption,less clotting and reudced oxidaton of LDL cholesterol.
Suppresses cancer-cell activity in all stages of development, its most prostective powers have been shown against stomach and colon cancers.
Boosts metabolism, as suggested by a study of EGCG, people who drank 3-4 cups of green tea daily burned an additional 80 calories per day
Fights tooth decay with natural fluorine.
Black tea provides;
More protection against skin cancers caused by ultraviolet radiation than green tea does.
Antibacerial and antiviral properties, such as killing the bacteria behind cavity-causing plaque.
Sardines
(Berkeley Wellness)
Sardines: The Can-Do Fish
All seafood has something good to offer. But sardines (a name given to many small fish in the herring family) are a top choice across the board.
Sardines are one of the richest sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fats—richer than canned tuna and many fish oil supplements. And because sardine populations are abundant (after a collapse in the 1950s), environmental groups consider them a good ecological choice. Moreover, contaminants are much less of a concern with sardines than with tuna, swordfish, farmed salmon, and most other fatty fish; you can safely eat sardines at least once a week.
Catching the best
• Sardines typically come canned, but more markets now carry them fresh as well. Restaurants often serve them grilled, which is an easy way to prepare them at home.
• For convenience, keep a few cans of sardines in your cupboard. With their easy-to-open lids, you can take them to work or on the road for a quick, easy meal or snack. They are good paired with hearty breads or crackers, nuts, olives, cheese, and fruit, or mixed with chopped eggs or beets.
• When buying canned sardines, compare nutrition labels. Depending on the type of sardine, where they come from, and what they are packed in (water, oil, or tomato or mustard sauces), they can vary a lot in calories (90 to 350), fat (5 to 30 grams), and sodium (100 to 500 milligrams) per serving.
• Canned whole sardines are a good source of calcium if you eat the bones, which are softened during processing. A 3-ounce serving has about as much calcium as a cup of milk. Sardines are also a natural source of vitamin D—165 IU in 3 ounces.
More canned news: Besides sardines (and, of course, tuna), many other fish come canned, convenient, and healthy. Consider canned herring (with even more omega-3s than sardines), canned salmon (almost always wild, so contaminants are not a problem, and also a good source of calcium if you eat the bones), and canned mackerel (another great choice for omega-3s and calcium), as well as canned shrimp, oysters, clams, and crabmeat. If you are watching your sodium intake, compare labels to find products with lower amounts.
Sardines: The Can-Do Fish
All seafood has something good to offer. But sardines (a name given to many small fish in the herring family) are a top choice across the board.
Sardines are one of the richest sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fats—richer than canned tuna and many fish oil supplements. And because sardine populations are abundant (after a collapse in the 1950s), environmental groups consider them a good ecological choice. Moreover, contaminants are much less of a concern with sardines than with tuna, swordfish, farmed salmon, and most other fatty fish; you can safely eat sardines at least once a week.
Catching the best
• Sardines typically come canned, but more markets now carry them fresh as well. Restaurants often serve them grilled, which is an easy way to prepare them at home.
• For convenience, keep a few cans of sardines in your cupboard. With their easy-to-open lids, you can take them to work or on the road for a quick, easy meal or snack. They are good paired with hearty breads or crackers, nuts, olives, cheese, and fruit, or mixed with chopped eggs or beets.
• When buying canned sardines, compare nutrition labels. Depending on the type of sardine, where they come from, and what they are packed in (water, oil, or tomato or mustard sauces), they can vary a lot in calories (90 to 350), fat (5 to 30 grams), and sodium (100 to 500 milligrams) per serving.
• Canned whole sardines are a good source of calcium if you eat the bones, which are softened during processing. A 3-ounce serving has about as much calcium as a cup of milk. Sardines are also a natural source of vitamin D—165 IU in 3 ounces.
More canned news: Besides sardines (and, of course, tuna), many other fish come canned, convenient, and healthy. Consider canned herring (with even more omega-3s than sardines), canned salmon (almost always wild, so contaminants are not a problem, and also a good source of calcium if you eat the bones), and canned mackerel (another great choice for omega-3s and calcium), as well as canned shrimp, oysters, clams, and crabmeat. If you are watching your sodium intake, compare labels to find products with lower amounts.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tips for a Healthier Heart
(Prevention newsletter)
Laugh at Yourself
When researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore tested the "humor quotient" of 300 people, they found that those with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh at the gaffes, mix-ups, and irritations of everyday life than those without cardiovascular problems.
"Laughter is no substitute for eating properly, exercising, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels with medication if need be," says study author Michael Miller, MD, director of the university's Center for Preventive Cardiology. "But enjoying a few laughs every day couldn't hurt, and our research suggests that it might help your heart health."
Cut Back on Sugar
People who consume more than 74 g of added fructose a day (that’s two to three sweetened soft drinks) are 87% more likely to have severely elevated blood pressure than those who get less, according to a recent study. Researchers believe excess fructose may reduce the production of nitric oxide, a gas that helps blood vessels relax and dilate.
To cut your intake, watch out for the worst offenders: drinks and baked goods. Drink seltzer in place of soda, or eat oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon instead of an oatmeal raisin cookie.
Go Bananas
To lower your blood pressure, don't just eat less sodium. You should also increase your potassium intake, as it speeds up the body's sodium excretion, say researchers at the Hypertension Institute of Nashville. Lead author Mark Houston, MD, says most Americans consume more sodium than potassium, but it should be the other way around. Some popular potassium-rich foods to help fix this: baked potatoes, tomato paste, lima beans, yogurt, cantaloupe, and bananas.
Indulge with Dark Chocolate
Cap off your day with a nibble of this healthy treat. Dark varieties contain flavonoids, antioxidants that make blood vessels more elastic. In one study, 18% of patients who ate it every day saw blood pressure dip. Have ½ ounce (at least 70% cocoa) daily.
Take Vitamin D and Fish Oil
While research on multivitamins for preventing heart disease is mixed, science does stand behind these two supplements. "The only dietary supplement consistently shown in randomized clinical trials to work against cardiac death is fish oil," says Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, an assistant professor medicine at Harvard Medical School. Omega-3 fatty acids stabilize the heart's electrical system, lower blood pressure and triglycerides, slow arterial plaque buildup, and ease systemic inflammation. Fish oil was more successful than statins at preventing death in heart failure patients, according to a recent Italian study.
“D” boasts a wide range of health benefits, heart health among them. Recent studies show that too-little amounts can raise the risk of peripheral arterial disease by 80% and increase the odds of developing diabetes (a known heart disease risk factor).
Stay Connected
Strong ties to family, friends, and community reduce anxiety and fight depression—two factors that increase your risk of a heart attack. Make a lunch date with a friend you’ve been playing phone tag with, dedicate at least 1 night a week for a sit-down family dinner, or plan to visit your place of worship. Resolve to do one of these things every day (yes, jetting off a quick thinking-of-you e-mail counts)
Meditate for 5 Minutes
Practicing a form of meditation in which you focus awareness on the present moment can reduce the effects of daily stressors. Ride out a stress storm by simply closing your eyes and quietly focusing on your breathing for 5 to 10 minutes.
Stop Faking It
One of the biggest causes of stress is trying to live in a way that’s not consistent with who you are. Ask yourself: Am I doing what I want to do? Am I getting my needs met? Every day, run a reality check on what you've done. When it says that your actions aren't true to the kind of person you are, make sure you listen.
Spend time with people and on activities that make you feel happy and challenged in a healthy way—not drained or burned out.
Spice Up Your Workout
The best exercise is one that you'll continue to do. So every day, in addition to your regular workout, try something new just for fun—hitting a tennis ball against the house, shooting hoops with your kids, or dancing around your bedroom after work. If you find something that you like, incorporate it into your daily workout.
Research shows that people who are active in little ways the entire day burn more calories and are generally healthier than those who exercise for 30 to 60 minutes and then sit at a computer, says cardiologist and Prevention advisor Arthur Agatston, MD.
Cook with Garlic
Just one clove a day—or 300 mg 3 times daily—reduces the risk of a heart attack at least three ways: It discourages red blood cells from sticking together and blocking your arteries, it reduces arterial damage, and it discourages cholesterol from lining those arteries and making them so narrow that blockages are likely.
Swap in Soy
These plant proteins can help lower cholesterol when you eat them in place of less healthy foods. (Think tofu instead of beef stir-fry or edamame in lieu of dumplings).
It’s best, however, to limit processed soy (from chips and patties) and avoid soy supplements. The problem with these is that we do not always know the amount of phytoestrogens (plant chemicals in soy that function in ways similar to the hormone estrogen) in them. This can make its effects on the human body unpredictable. And exposure to high concentrations of phytoestrogens could stimulate the growth of cells that are responsive to estrogen, which include many breast cancers.
Unwind with a Little Wine
You've probably heard that imbibing is good for you. Research overwhelmingly shows that 1 to 3 ounces of alcohol a day significantly reduces your risk of a heart attack. Unless you have a problem with alcohol, high blood pressure, or risk factors for breast or other cancer, you can safely have one alcoholic drink a day.
Indulge with dinner so you sip slowly. And remember that a full pour in a large wine glass can easily double what’s considered a healthy serving.
Start or End Your Day with Stretching
Flexibility may be key to heart health: Adults over age 40 who were the most limber had 30% less stiffness in the arteries than less-bendy participants in a recent Japanese study. Stretching for 10 to 15 minutes a day may keep arteries pliable; they may be affected by the elasticity of the muscles and tissue that surround them. Try some gentle yoga moves to improve your flexibility.
Stir in Flaxseed
Flaxseed is one of the most potent sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Studies indicate that adding flaxseed to your diet can reduce the development of heart disease by 46%, while helping to keep red blood cells from clumping together and forming clots that can block arteries. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flaxseed a day on your yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, or salad. Buy it preground, and keep it refrigerated.
Walk for 20 Minutes a Day
Just 2.5 hours of exercise a week (that’s a little more than 20 minutes a day) could reduce heart attacks by one-third, prevent 285,000 deaths from heart disease in the United States alone, and practically eliminate type 2 diabetes. Wow!
Make Nuts Your Go-To Snack
Studies have found that those who eat more than 5 ounces of nuts a week are one-third less likely to have either heart disease or a heart attack. Just don't overdo it—nuts are high in fat and calories, which can pack on pounds if you inhale them by the fistful.
Make Room for Veggies
To get the 2½ cups that nutritionists recommend you eat daily, aim to make veggies 50% of your meals. Extra points for picking cruciferous vegetables such as kale, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage, which are a gold mine of antioxidants and other heart-saving phytochemicals.
Start Your Morning with Juice
Orange juice contains folic acid that helps lower your levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to a higher heart attack risk. Grape juice is loaded with flavonoids and resveratrol, both potent antioxidants that may discourage red blood cells from clumping together and forming an artery-blocking clot. Choose 100% fruit juices to limit excess sugar.
Feast on Fish
Meat's saturated fat will clog your arteries. On the other hand, fish such as salmon and anchovies are loaded with the omega-3 fatty acids that will help your heart maintain a steady rhythm. Having even one serving of fish high in omega-3s a week could reduce your risk of death from a heart attack by 52%!
Fiber Up Your Diet
Studies show that the more fiber you eat, the less likely you are to have a heart attack. Load up on whole grain breads and cereals that contain whole wheat, wheat bran, and oats. Toss beans into casseroles, soups, and salads. Aim for at least 25 to 35 g of fiber a day.
Carve Out Time for Sleep
Every extra hour of sleep middle-aged adults can add to their nightly average reduces their risk of coronary artery calcification, a cause of heart disease, by 33%, according to a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. When you're even a little sleep deprived, your body releases stress hormones that constrict arteries and cause inflammation.
If you routinely wake up feeling tired or need an afternoon nap, then you're probably sleep deprived. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours a night to function well.
Cook Like an Italian
Use MUFA-rich olive oil in your food prep whenever possible. The heart-healthy fat lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and raises “good” HDL cholesterol. Bonus: Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, like Alzheimer’s.
Substitute olive oil for butter or margarine at the dinner table, drizzle it on salads, and use it to replace vegetable oils in baking wherever possible. Buy only cold-pressed, extra-virgin oil; it retains more of the olive's heart-healthy antioxidants than other forms.
Scan Food Labels for Unhealthy Fat
Adults who read food labels and nutrition facts slash twice as many calories from fat as those who don't give them a look, according to one study. When it comes to heart health, that’s important: Don't let fat exceed 30% percent of your calories. And more important, make most of your fat the healthy monounsaturated (from olive oil, nuts, dark chocolate, avocado) and polyunsaturated (from salmon, flaxseed, walnuts) kinds.
Limit saturated fat intake to 7% of your total calories (for a 1,600-calorie diet, that’s about 12 g a day). And avoid trans fats whenever possible; they should comprise 1% of your daily calories, or less than 2 g a day. (Look for “hydrogenated” on ingredient lists; trans fats are most often found in cookies, crackers, baked goods, and other processed foods.) Both of these fats raise levels of artery-clogging LDL cholesterol
Drink Green Tea
This potent beverage contains several powerful antioxidants that reduce cholesterol and may even lower blood pressure. To make a day's supply, bring 20 ounces of water to a boil, drop in three decaffeinated green tea bags, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags, and refrigerate the tea. When cool, pour the tea into a container, add ice if you like, and sip throughout the day.
Laugh at Yourself
When researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore tested the "humor quotient" of 300 people, they found that those with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh at the gaffes, mix-ups, and irritations of everyday life than those without cardiovascular problems.
"Laughter is no substitute for eating properly, exercising, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels with medication if need be," says study author Michael Miller, MD, director of the university's Center for Preventive Cardiology. "But enjoying a few laughs every day couldn't hurt, and our research suggests that it might help your heart health."
Cut Back on Sugar
People who consume more than 74 g of added fructose a day (that’s two to three sweetened soft drinks) are 87% more likely to have severely elevated blood pressure than those who get less, according to a recent study. Researchers believe excess fructose may reduce the production of nitric oxide, a gas that helps blood vessels relax and dilate.
To cut your intake, watch out for the worst offenders: drinks and baked goods. Drink seltzer in place of soda, or eat oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon instead of an oatmeal raisin cookie.
Go Bananas
To lower your blood pressure, don't just eat less sodium. You should also increase your potassium intake, as it speeds up the body's sodium excretion, say researchers at the Hypertension Institute of Nashville. Lead author Mark Houston, MD, says most Americans consume more sodium than potassium, but it should be the other way around. Some popular potassium-rich foods to help fix this: baked potatoes, tomato paste, lima beans, yogurt, cantaloupe, and bananas.
Indulge with Dark Chocolate
Cap off your day with a nibble of this healthy treat. Dark varieties contain flavonoids, antioxidants that make blood vessels more elastic. In one study, 18% of patients who ate it every day saw blood pressure dip. Have ½ ounce (at least 70% cocoa) daily.
Take Vitamin D and Fish Oil
While research on multivitamins for preventing heart disease is mixed, science does stand behind these two supplements. "The only dietary supplement consistently shown in randomized clinical trials to work against cardiac death is fish oil," says Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, an assistant professor medicine at Harvard Medical School. Omega-3 fatty acids stabilize the heart's electrical system, lower blood pressure and triglycerides, slow arterial plaque buildup, and ease systemic inflammation. Fish oil was more successful than statins at preventing death in heart failure patients, according to a recent Italian study.
“D” boasts a wide range of health benefits, heart health among them. Recent studies show that too-little amounts can raise the risk of peripheral arterial disease by 80% and increase the odds of developing diabetes (a known heart disease risk factor).
Stay Connected
Strong ties to family, friends, and community reduce anxiety and fight depression—two factors that increase your risk of a heart attack. Make a lunch date with a friend you’ve been playing phone tag with, dedicate at least 1 night a week for a sit-down family dinner, or plan to visit your place of worship. Resolve to do one of these things every day (yes, jetting off a quick thinking-of-you e-mail counts)
Meditate for 5 Minutes
Practicing a form of meditation in which you focus awareness on the present moment can reduce the effects of daily stressors. Ride out a stress storm by simply closing your eyes and quietly focusing on your breathing for 5 to 10 minutes.
Stop Faking It
One of the biggest causes of stress is trying to live in a way that’s not consistent with who you are. Ask yourself: Am I doing what I want to do? Am I getting my needs met? Every day, run a reality check on what you've done. When it says that your actions aren't true to the kind of person you are, make sure you listen.
Spend time with people and on activities that make you feel happy and challenged in a healthy way—not drained or burned out.
Spice Up Your Workout
The best exercise is one that you'll continue to do. So every day, in addition to your regular workout, try something new just for fun—hitting a tennis ball against the house, shooting hoops with your kids, or dancing around your bedroom after work. If you find something that you like, incorporate it into your daily workout.
Research shows that people who are active in little ways the entire day burn more calories and are generally healthier than those who exercise for 30 to 60 minutes and then sit at a computer, says cardiologist and Prevention advisor Arthur Agatston, MD.
Cook with Garlic
Just one clove a day—or 300 mg 3 times daily—reduces the risk of a heart attack at least three ways: It discourages red blood cells from sticking together and blocking your arteries, it reduces arterial damage, and it discourages cholesterol from lining those arteries and making them so narrow that blockages are likely.
Swap in Soy
These plant proteins can help lower cholesterol when you eat them in place of less healthy foods. (Think tofu instead of beef stir-fry or edamame in lieu of dumplings).
It’s best, however, to limit processed soy (from chips and patties) and avoid soy supplements. The problem with these is that we do not always know the amount of phytoestrogens (plant chemicals in soy that function in ways similar to the hormone estrogen) in them. This can make its effects on the human body unpredictable. And exposure to high concentrations of phytoestrogens could stimulate the growth of cells that are responsive to estrogen, which include many breast cancers.
Unwind with a Little Wine
You've probably heard that imbibing is good for you. Research overwhelmingly shows that 1 to 3 ounces of alcohol a day significantly reduces your risk of a heart attack. Unless you have a problem with alcohol, high blood pressure, or risk factors for breast or other cancer, you can safely have one alcoholic drink a day.
Indulge with dinner so you sip slowly. And remember that a full pour in a large wine glass can easily double what’s considered a healthy serving.
Start or End Your Day with Stretching
Flexibility may be key to heart health: Adults over age 40 who were the most limber had 30% less stiffness in the arteries than less-bendy participants in a recent Japanese study. Stretching for 10 to 15 minutes a day may keep arteries pliable; they may be affected by the elasticity of the muscles and tissue that surround them. Try some gentle yoga moves to improve your flexibility.
Stir in Flaxseed
Flaxseed is one of the most potent sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Studies indicate that adding flaxseed to your diet can reduce the development of heart disease by 46%, while helping to keep red blood cells from clumping together and forming clots that can block arteries. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flaxseed a day on your yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, or salad. Buy it preground, and keep it refrigerated.
Walk for 20 Minutes a Day
Just 2.5 hours of exercise a week (that’s a little more than 20 minutes a day) could reduce heart attacks by one-third, prevent 285,000 deaths from heart disease in the United States alone, and practically eliminate type 2 diabetes. Wow!
Make Nuts Your Go-To Snack
Studies have found that those who eat more than 5 ounces of nuts a week are one-third less likely to have either heart disease or a heart attack. Just don't overdo it—nuts are high in fat and calories, which can pack on pounds if you inhale them by the fistful.
Make Room for Veggies
To get the 2½ cups that nutritionists recommend you eat daily, aim to make veggies 50% of your meals. Extra points for picking cruciferous vegetables such as kale, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage, which are a gold mine of antioxidants and other heart-saving phytochemicals.
Start Your Morning with Juice
Orange juice contains folic acid that helps lower your levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to a higher heart attack risk. Grape juice is loaded with flavonoids and resveratrol, both potent antioxidants that may discourage red blood cells from clumping together and forming an artery-blocking clot. Choose 100% fruit juices to limit excess sugar.
Feast on Fish
Meat's saturated fat will clog your arteries. On the other hand, fish such as salmon and anchovies are loaded with the omega-3 fatty acids that will help your heart maintain a steady rhythm. Having even one serving of fish high in omega-3s a week could reduce your risk of death from a heart attack by 52%!
Fiber Up Your Diet
Studies show that the more fiber you eat, the less likely you are to have a heart attack. Load up on whole grain breads and cereals that contain whole wheat, wheat bran, and oats. Toss beans into casseroles, soups, and salads. Aim for at least 25 to 35 g of fiber a day.
Carve Out Time for Sleep
Every extra hour of sleep middle-aged adults can add to their nightly average reduces their risk of coronary artery calcification, a cause of heart disease, by 33%, according to a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. When you're even a little sleep deprived, your body releases stress hormones that constrict arteries and cause inflammation.
If you routinely wake up feeling tired or need an afternoon nap, then you're probably sleep deprived. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours a night to function well.
Cook Like an Italian
Use MUFA-rich olive oil in your food prep whenever possible. The heart-healthy fat lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and raises “good” HDL cholesterol. Bonus: Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, like Alzheimer’s.
Substitute olive oil for butter or margarine at the dinner table, drizzle it on salads, and use it to replace vegetable oils in baking wherever possible. Buy only cold-pressed, extra-virgin oil; it retains more of the olive's heart-healthy antioxidants than other forms.
Scan Food Labels for Unhealthy Fat
Adults who read food labels and nutrition facts slash twice as many calories from fat as those who don't give them a look, according to one study. When it comes to heart health, that’s important: Don't let fat exceed 30% percent of your calories. And more important, make most of your fat the healthy monounsaturated (from olive oil, nuts, dark chocolate, avocado) and polyunsaturated (from salmon, flaxseed, walnuts) kinds.
Limit saturated fat intake to 7% of your total calories (for a 1,600-calorie diet, that’s about 12 g a day). And avoid trans fats whenever possible; they should comprise 1% of your daily calories, or less than 2 g a day. (Look for “hydrogenated” on ingredient lists; trans fats are most often found in cookies, crackers, baked goods, and other processed foods.) Both of these fats raise levels of artery-clogging LDL cholesterol
Drink Green Tea
This potent beverage contains several powerful antioxidants that reduce cholesterol and may even lower blood pressure. To make a day's supply, bring 20 ounces of water to a boil, drop in three decaffeinated green tea bags, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags, and refrigerate the tea. When cool, pour the tea into a container, add ice if you like, and sip throughout the day.
Natural Remedies to Help You Sleep
(Health.com)
Magnesium and calcium
Magnesium and calcium are both sleep boosters, and when taken together, they become even more effective. Plus, by taking magnesium, you cancel out any potential heart problems that might arise from taking calcium alone. Take 200 milligrams of magnesium—lower the dose if it causes diarrhea—and 600 milligrams of calcium each night.
Hops
Beer fans will no doubt be familiar with the calming effect of hops, the female flowers used in beer making. For sleep purposes, though, this extract has been widely used as a mild sedative for anxiety and insomnia. Take 30 to 120 milligrams before climbing under the covers.
Melatonin
Melatonin is the hormone that controls sleep, so it's no wonder that it naturally induces sleep. Although some experts recommend taking higher doses, studies show that lower doses are more effective. Plus, there's concern that too-high doses could cause toxicity as well as raise the risk of depression or infertility. Take 0.3 to 0.5 milligrams before bed.
Yoga or meditation
Choose gentle yoga or stretching, not vigorous power or ashtanga yoga, which could energize you instead. Try easy yoga stretches in bed followed by simple meditation. Close your eyes and, for 5 to 10 minutes, pay attention to nothing but your breathing.
L-theanine
This amino acid comes from green tea and not only helps maintain a calm alertness during the day but also a deeper sleep at night. However, green tea doesn't contain enough L-theanine to significantly boost your REM cycles. Besides, you might then wake up to go to the bathroom. Instead, buy a brand called Suntheanine, which is pure L-theanine. (Other brands have inactive forms of theanine that block the effectiveness.) Take 50 to 200 milligrams at bedtime.
Valerian
Valerian is one of the most common sleep remedies for insomnia. Numerous studies have found that valerian improves deep sleep, speed of falling asleep, and overall quality of sleep. However, it's most effective when used over a longer period of time. One caveat? About 10% of the people who use it actually feel energized, which may keep them awake. If that happens to you, take valerian during the day. Otherwise, take 200 to 800 milligrams before bed.
I have not tried some of these but I have tried a product from AgroLabs called 'Peaceful Sleep' that I like. It contains valerian, calcium citrate, gaba, lavender, passion flower, lemon balm, 5HTP,casein, aloe vera, and chamomile.
It is in liquid form, at Costco, easy to take and works for me. It has a subtle, relaxing effect and I have even taken a tablespoon in the middle of the night which helped me get back to sleep.
Magnesium and calcium
Magnesium and calcium are both sleep boosters, and when taken together, they become even more effective. Plus, by taking magnesium, you cancel out any potential heart problems that might arise from taking calcium alone. Take 200 milligrams of magnesium—lower the dose if it causes diarrhea—and 600 milligrams of calcium each night.
Hops
Beer fans will no doubt be familiar with the calming effect of hops, the female flowers used in beer making. For sleep purposes, though, this extract has been widely used as a mild sedative for anxiety and insomnia. Take 30 to 120 milligrams before climbing under the covers.
Melatonin
Melatonin is the hormone that controls sleep, so it's no wonder that it naturally induces sleep. Although some experts recommend taking higher doses, studies show that lower doses are more effective. Plus, there's concern that too-high doses could cause toxicity as well as raise the risk of depression or infertility. Take 0.3 to 0.5 milligrams before bed.
Yoga or meditation
Choose gentle yoga or stretching, not vigorous power or ashtanga yoga, which could energize you instead. Try easy yoga stretches in bed followed by simple meditation. Close your eyes and, for 5 to 10 minutes, pay attention to nothing but your breathing.
L-theanine
This amino acid comes from green tea and not only helps maintain a calm alertness during the day but also a deeper sleep at night. However, green tea doesn't contain enough L-theanine to significantly boost your REM cycles. Besides, you might then wake up to go to the bathroom. Instead, buy a brand called Suntheanine, which is pure L-theanine. (Other brands have inactive forms of theanine that block the effectiveness.) Take 50 to 200 milligrams at bedtime.
Valerian
Valerian is one of the most common sleep remedies for insomnia. Numerous studies have found that valerian improves deep sleep, speed of falling asleep, and overall quality of sleep. However, it's most effective when used over a longer period of time. One caveat? About 10% of the people who use it actually feel energized, which may keep them awake. If that happens to you, take valerian during the day. Otherwise, take 200 to 800 milligrams before bed.
I have not tried some of these but I have tried a product from AgroLabs called 'Peaceful Sleep' that I like. It contains valerian, calcium citrate, gaba, lavender, passion flower, lemon balm, 5HTP,casein, aloe vera, and chamomile.
It is in liquid form, at Costco, easy to take and works for me. It has a subtle, relaxing effect and I have even taken a tablespoon in the middle of the night which helped me get back to sleep.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
RASPBERRY OATMEAL BARS
These are one of Jeff's favorites...
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups uncooked rolled oats
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 16 oz jar of red raspberry preserves, you can substitute any favorite jam
Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Combing flour, oats salt, soda and mix thoroughly with butter/sugar mixture.
Press half of crumb mixture into greased 8" square pan, spread with preserves, sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.
bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. When cool cut into bars.
Easy Peesy Lemon Squeesy...
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups uncooked rolled oats
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 16 oz jar of red raspberry preserves, you can substitute any favorite jam
Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Combing flour, oats salt, soda and mix thoroughly with butter/sugar mixture.
Press half of crumb mixture into greased 8" square pan, spread with preserves, sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.
bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. When cool cut into bars.
Easy Peesy Lemon Squeesy...
Ginkgo
(Berkeley Wellness)
Interesting article...
Ginkgo: An Herb to Remember?
Many people take ginkgo to sharpen their memory and concentration, as well as for other positive effects on mind and body. Should you believe these claims or forget about them?
What it is: A centuries-old Chinese herbal medicine, ginkgo comes from the dried leaves of the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba). It contains a complex mix of compounds. Like aspirin, it can keep blood clots from forming and may increase blood flow. Ginkgo has become one of the top-selling herbal products.
What the studies show: Ginkgo made headlines a dozen years ago when a study found that it improved mental and social functioning in some people with Alzheimer’s disease, though the effects were small and limited in duration. The study looked only at people with dementia, but many healthy people assume that ginkgo will boost their brain power—something that has never been demonstrated.
In fact, a review by the Cochrane Collaboration in 2007 looked at 35 studies and concluded that the overall evidence for ginkgo as a treatment for dementia or cognitive impairment is “inconsistent and unconvincing.”
Few studies have looked at ginkgo’s effects on normal age-related memory decline, and they have come up with mostly disappointing results. Notably, the largest and longest clinical trial ever to assess whether ginkgo could help prevent dementia appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2008. The six-year study looked at more than 1,500 people 75 and older, none of whom had dementia at the outset. The herb, taken twice a day in standardized doses, did not reduce the incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. An editorial accompanying the study noted that it added to the “substantial body of evidence” showing similar findings. Moreover, in late 2009 a follow-up study in the same journal found that the ginkgo supplements did not slow the rate of cognitive decline or memory loss in any way.
Bottom line: Though ginkgo is one of the best-studied herbs, there is no convincing evidence it has any effect on memory or other mental functions in healthy older people. That is, ginkgo doesn’t sharpen an already-clear mind, help prevent what is considered normal age-related memory loss, or delay or prevent dementia. Nor is there evidence that ginkgo helps treat tinnitus or intermittent claudication, as is sometimes claimed. If you or a family member has Alzheimer’s or another dementia, talk to your doctor about trying ginkgo, but keep in mind that drug treatments may be better.
Interesting article...
Ginkgo: An Herb to Remember?
Many people take ginkgo to sharpen their memory and concentration, as well as for other positive effects on mind and body. Should you believe these claims or forget about them?
What it is: A centuries-old Chinese herbal medicine, ginkgo comes from the dried leaves of the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba). It contains a complex mix of compounds. Like aspirin, it can keep blood clots from forming and may increase blood flow. Ginkgo has become one of the top-selling herbal products.
What the studies show: Ginkgo made headlines a dozen years ago when a study found that it improved mental and social functioning in some people with Alzheimer’s disease, though the effects were small and limited in duration. The study looked only at people with dementia, but many healthy people assume that ginkgo will boost their brain power—something that has never been demonstrated.
In fact, a review by the Cochrane Collaboration in 2007 looked at 35 studies and concluded that the overall evidence for ginkgo as a treatment for dementia or cognitive impairment is “inconsistent and unconvincing.”
Few studies have looked at ginkgo’s effects on normal age-related memory decline, and they have come up with mostly disappointing results. Notably, the largest and longest clinical trial ever to assess whether ginkgo could help prevent dementia appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2008. The six-year study looked at more than 1,500 people 75 and older, none of whom had dementia at the outset. The herb, taken twice a day in standardized doses, did not reduce the incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. An editorial accompanying the study noted that it added to the “substantial body of evidence” showing similar findings. Moreover, in late 2009 a follow-up study in the same journal found that the ginkgo supplements did not slow the rate of cognitive decline or memory loss in any way.
Bottom line: Though ginkgo is one of the best-studied herbs, there is no convincing evidence it has any effect on memory or other mental functions in healthy older people. That is, ginkgo doesn’t sharpen an already-clear mind, help prevent what is considered normal age-related memory loss, or delay or prevent dementia. Nor is there evidence that ginkgo helps treat tinnitus or intermittent claudication, as is sometimes claimed. If you or a family member has Alzheimer’s or another dementia, talk to your doctor about trying ginkgo, but keep in mind that drug treatments may be better.
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