Super-Duper Foods!

 I found this list of super foods at medhelp.org.  I'm not sure you can access if you aren't a member, although it's easy enough to join and MedHelp is free.

• SALMON: Heart health/brain function.  A 4 ounce serving two to three times a week.
• BLUEBERRIES: Antioxidant/ anti-aging. 1/2 cup delivers as much antioxidant power as five servings of other fruits and vegetables.
• DRIED APRICOTS:  1/2 cup daily. High in potassium (dried apricots contain nearly three times as much potassium as bananas and potatoes) Higher potassium intake can lower the risk for painful kidney stones.
• CHERRIES: Try 20 tart cherries (or 10 ounces of juice) when you have an ache. Eating tart cherries can help relieve pain from muscle aches, gout and arthritis better than anti-inflammatory drugs. The pigments that give cherries their red color (anthocyanins) are most likely responsible for this pain-killing, anti-inflammatory effect.
• FULL-FAT DAIRY: Limit your intake to one cup of whole milk or a half cup of ice cream per day. Researchers found that women who ate one or more daily servings of full-fat dairy foods (as opposed to  low-fat dairy) were less likely to suffer ovulation problems. The speculation: it might have something to do with how hormones attach to fat molecules.
• YOGURT:  6-8 ounces (serving size). Yogurt contains probiotics (beneficial bacteria) which improve the gut's ability to digest foods that cause flatulence. These beneficial bacteria are also being studied for their potential ability to improve immunity. They turn lactose into lactic acid, so the lactose intolerant (60% of adults) can probably enjoy yogurt, without the unpleasant side-effects.
• TEA: Black or green tea without milk or sugar can make breath sweeter. Contains polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that can inhibit the growth of bacteria that causes bad breath.
• ALCOHOL: One or two drink per day: 1.5 ounces of liquor, five ounces of wine, or (not and!) 12 ounces of beer. Sugary cocktails are generally high in calories, and not a good option if you are watching your weight or want to avoid sugar.  In conjunction with losing weight and exercise, one or two alcoholic drinks per day can significantly increase HDL levels.
• EGGS: Here's the deal. Eggs contain biotin. If your fingernails are thin and brittle, you may be low on biotin. Although you can get plenty of biotin from egg yolks (as well as liver), the studies used 2500 mcg (the average egg has approximately 20 mcg) so it would be impossible to reach that amount through diet alone to improve your fingernails...but eating two eggs a day will ensure you are getting enough biotin (adults need 30 mcg per day). PERSONAL NOTE: I try to avoid egg yolks, so I will (for the most part) stick with my supplement and eat liver and onions, on occasion.
• OYSTERS: (Men, listen up!) Try six medium, raw oysters on the half shell. They are the richest food source of zinc, which is necessary for testosterone production. (Even short-term zinc deficiencies can reduce semen volume and testosterone levels.) Oysters (depending on variety) contain 10 times more zinc than wheat germ and beef (other excellent sources).
• GARLIC: A clove a day keeps the vampires--and potential suitors--away. Seriously, regular consumption can keep you from contracting viruses. Garlic contains allicin, which blocks enzymes that play a role in bacterial and viral infections.  Eating garlic can also help you recover faster from a cold. To boost the allicin, crush or mince the garlic and allow it to sit for 15 minutes at room temperature before eating.
• CINNAMON: At least 1/2 teaspoon daily. Cinnamon (safe and easily added to the diet) may have an insulin-like effect, helping to control blood sugar levels. More research is needed.
• GINGER: 1/2 teaspoon of real ginger minced in tea or per serving in stir-fry. (Note: most mainstream ginger ale has little, if any, real ginger). Or try candied ginger (delicious and spicy). Ginger is proven to relieve nausea. Most evidence is for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, while studies are mixed on whether ginger is effective for nausea caused by chemotherapy, anesthesia and motion.
• COFFEE: One cup daily to improve short-term memory and reaction time.
• TURMERIC: Approximately 1.5 teaspoons mixed in yogurt, tea, grains and curries. Turmeric is considered one of the most potent anti-inflammatory foods on the planet.

Sinus Trouble? Watch Your Diet.

Sinus trouble? If you are suffering from sinusitis, you must watch your diet.

Try to keep it alkaline (pH).

A diet rich in Vitamin A  is recommended (it helps build healthy mucus membranes in the throat and head.) Some good sources of Vitamin A: tomato, pumpkin, mango, papaya, leafy vegetables, egg yolk, curds and whole milk (which, in this particular case, should probably  be avoided since diary products are known to cause sinus problems). Better sources of calcium are sardines, seaweed, and leafy green vegetables.

Other recommendations:

• Eating fruit is preferred to drinking fruit juices since juices have a higher concentration of carbohydrates and contain preservatives.

• Avoid refined sugar (your body can't break it down).

• Caffeine weakens your adrenal glands so it should be avoided.

• Mustard and mayonnaise cause your body's pH to be imbalanced.

I have included links to various sites that offer suggestions for alleviating sinus problems. Don't forget to read my disclaimer on the right. :-)

Christina's Home Remedies (E book)
Sinus Wars
Doctor Yourself
Cure Zone
Organic Authority

Soothe Your Sore Throat

This seems to be the season for stubborn sore throats. I have added some links that might give some relief. The first one includes recipes for gargling.

LINKS:

TLC
Mayo Clinic
Natural Sore Throat Cures
My Healthy Foods

Strictly USA

Buy American
@ Strictly USA
This link is to a website of strictly America-made goods. It is not about healthy eating but it is about a healthy USA.

Manuka Honey and Wound Care

My sister (again) forwarded an article by Dr. Mercola about the healing properties of Manuka honey: "Certain types of honey, such as Manuka, have been shown to be more effective than antibiotics in the treatment of serious, hard-to-heal skin infections...
Scientific American reported: "In lab tests, just a bit of the honey killed off the majority of bacterial cells -- and cut down dramatically on the stubborn biofilms they formed. It could also be used to prevent wounds from becoming infected in the first place ... These findings indicate that manuka honey has potential in the topical treatment of wounds containing S. pyogenes."

According to Dr.Peter Molan, there are two types of Manuka honey:
1. Ordinary Manuka honey has the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property common to most honeys;
2. *UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) Manuka Honey, the preferred honey for wound dressing and other special therapeutic uses, has both the natural hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property plus its own natural UMF antibacterial property, giving it increased antibacterial potency.

*a phytochemical-derived property from the nectar of the flower.  The hydrogen peroxide property common to most honey is from an enzyme added to the honey by the bee.

READ ALL ABOUT IT:
Manuka Honey Benefits   Thanks to Anne, anneshealth
Dr. Mercola article
Wikipedia
Science Daily
University of Waikato
BBC News
Minerva Scientific
Health Care (It's all About Your Health)
Immune System Honey (not Manuka)

Pure Maple Syrup

 My sister's doctor suggested she sweeten her food and drink with pure maple syrup so...I bought some. When possible (it is expensive), I use it in place of honey. Maple syrup is an excellent source of manganese (antioxidant: one ounce supplies 22% of the daily value) and a good source of zinc (antioxidant and heart health). Additional  information about pure maple syrup can be found at the first link: The World's Healthiest Foods.

I have included other links so you can learn more about pure maple syrup. Also included is one link for purchasing, though there are many sources, both online and in your local grocery store. Remember: PURE maple syrup.

The World's Healthiest Foods
Science Daily
Get Real Maple
Wikipedia
Specialty Brands of America

OMG! Coating on Romaine?

I just came upon this information at mercola.com. I suggest you check it out. My understanding is that some romaine (and other produce) is being coated with an 'edible', invisible film to preserve shelf life. As you'll see in the video, it can be peeled off.

Videos (Please watch)

Fish/Seafood: Wild Caught or Farmed

I bought some frozen shrimp yesterday; the price was right. I ate a portion and then looked at the package. I always look at the label first but, as I said, the price was right. Well, it was farmed (in Thailand) not wild caught. I try to avoid farmed, and always look for wild caught. I have included links discussing pros and cons of both. I vote for wild-caught.

The World's Healthiest Foods
Peachy Green
YouTube video
Another Viewpoint