Let Onions Sit

To get the most health benefits from onions, let them sit for 5 to 10 minutes after cutting and before cooking. Heat will deactivate the thiopropanal sulfoxide and you want to give it time to develop fully and to become concentrated before heating.

High Salt Intake and Asthma

High salt intake may have an adverse effect on lung function and asthma symptoms.

How to Soften a Winter Squash

Winter squash are very hard to penetrate them. Here's how you can soften a winter squash. Wash it well, and place the whole squash on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in 325 F preheated oven for 15 to 30 minutes, just until the skin is soft to touch and the back of spoon makes a slight indentation. Remove from the oven, let it coll and proceed with your receipe.

Diet-Cancer Link?

Dr. T. Colin Campbell, is a brilliant researcher who pioneered the investigation of the diet-cancer link in his writings, including "The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implicatons for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health".
Place this book on your must-read list today!

High Animal Protein Diet

• 
  
  
  Proteins from animal sources promote higher cholesterol levels than proteins from plant sources.
• 
  
  
  High-animal protein digest allows more dangerous chemical carcinogens into our cells and facilitates the process by which these carcinogens are transformed by enzymes then bound to our DNA, creating cancer. Plant protein has shown to inhibit these processes.
• 
  
  
  Animal protein is found to promote high levels of insuline-like growth factor which in turn has been found to be a predictor of certain cancer.
• 
  
  
  Diet high in animal protein has shown to exacerbate the formation of kidney stones and draw calcium out of the bones, encouraging osteoporosis.

Diet from a rich variety of vegetables, legumes, and whole grains have the ability to prevent and sometimes even treat the conditions including heart disease, certain cancers, kidney stones, and osteoporosis.

Where is the Protein and Calcium?

Okay, so if you are eating lots of veggies and fruits, what about protein and calcium? Where do you get those? This is probably the main question that every vegetarian is asked. These fear is from lack of education and false messages sent out by advertisers. We are conditioned to believe that if we don't get enough milk and steak or chicken, we'll end up very weak and shrivel up and die. Wrong!

We can get all the protein we need from plant-based foods. Dark leafy greens in particulare are a terrific source of protein; they're also very high in iron and calcium. Broccoli, sesame seeds, almonds, and seaweed are other fantastic and absorbable sources of calcium.

In fact, studies by American Heart Association have shown that vegetarians absorb and retain more calcium from foods than non-vegetarians.

Tips on Grains

Choose whole grains like spelt and kamut. If it is white, it's processed!

Fact: One grain of white rice in a cup of water will rot. One grain of brown rice in a cup of water will sprout.

Do Not Mix

Do not mix - eggs and toast. EGGS and TOAST takes about 8 hours in the stomach alone to digest.

Something To Chew On

Chewing can help with constipation. Digestion begins in your mouth. In fact, nutrition experts say you should drink your food and chew your water, which is basically means that everything that goes down your throat should be pureed, because digestion starts in your mouth. So, start grinding those purdy jaws!

Are You Sick?

When a body is too acidic, the stage is set for a host of ailments ranging from chronic fatigue to degenerative disease. You can check your urine pH level with pH strips. Just pee on a little piece of litmus paper and measure the reading. The lower the number, the more acidic you are. The optimal blood pH level is 7.365.

An acidic enviornment makes you sick. On the other hand, an alkaline environment floods our bodies with oxygen, keeping us vibrant and healthy.

Pumpkin Fights Colon Cancer

Pumpkin seems to have a dual ability to fight colon cancer. The rich supply of fiber along with the beta carotene has an ability to prevent cancer causing chemicals from attacking colon cells.

Apples Help Loose Weight

Apples can help you lose weight. Soluble fruit fiber has been shown to be inversely associated with long-term weight gain, and daily consumption of either three apples or three pears was associated with weight loss in overweight women.

Olive Oil is a Fat

We all know the benefits of olive oil, but remember olive oil is a fat. It has 120 calories per tablespoon. If you eat too much of it, you will gain weight. It is best used as a substitute for other, less healthy fats, such as butter.

Prevent Osteoporosis

Yogurt is an excellent source of digestible protein. With double the protein of milk, yogurt is a powerful weapon in building and maintaining strong bones and thus preventing osteoporosis.

Dannon's probiotic product called DanActive, has three types of beneficial bacteria. The probiotics in each bottle has over ten billion bacteria, thus establishing a healthy balance of bacteria.

Yogurt Fights Bad Breath

Yogurt could be helpful in fighting bad breath. Study shows that eating yogurt twice a day lowers levels of sulfide compounds that contribute to bad breath. There is even less plaque and gingivitis, indicating that yogurt can make a real contribution to oral health if eaten regularly.

Fight Cancer - Add Black Pepper

Eating black pepper at the same time as drinking green tea can significantly increase the amount of the cancer fighting EGCG absorbed by your body. So, next time you are drinking tea, grind some black pepper.

Feeling under the weather?

Throat sore or scratchy - try sipping some hot green tea with a spoonful of honey and a pinch of red pepper. This mix can soothe an inflamed throat. Red pepper subdues one of the body's pain chemicals, so that you can swallow more comfortably.

Genetic Factors

Studies have shown that as many as 40 percent of divorces are caused by genetic factors that affect personality and behavior.

The relationship between personality and divorce is clear.

• Extroversion (interest in or behavior directed toward others or one's environment rather than oneself)  is related to risk of divorce, particularly in men.
• Neuroticism (tendency to experience negative emotional states, more likely than the average to experience such feelings as anxiety, anger, guilt, depressed mood and respond more poorly to environmental stress, and are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult) elevates the risk of divorce for both men and women.

Nail Polish Remover

Acetone in nail polish remover is so toxic to your eyes, nerves, and lungs that it's a good idea to have one of that filters in your home that will protect your lungs and brain when you use it. Avoid those that use acetone, which dries up nails and do not use nail polish remover more than twice a month.

Nail Polish

Nail Polish is the most toxic cosmetic out there. It includes such toxic substances as formaldehyde, phthalates, acetone, toluene, and benzophenones. These substances are toxic to the nerves, endocrine and respiratory system, carcinogenic and have estrogen-like effects. You shouldn't be changing your nail polish several times a week.

Splinter Hemorrhage

Splinter hemorrhage is a disruption of blood vessels in the nail bed which can cause fine, splinter like vertical lines to appear under the nail plate. Maybe caused by injury or some drugs, it usually resolves spontaneously. However, since an infection in your heart can also cause these, call a doctor to make sure, especially if you feel under the weather and have a fever.

Coffee And Oatmeal

Tannins present in coffee, tea and wine are known to interfere with iron absorption, particularly the iron found in plant based foods like oatmeal, beans, and leafy greens. If you are prone to iron deficiency, you might want to avoid the cup of coffee with your morning oats.

Pair Wine and Fish

Pairing a glass of wine with a fish dinner helps increae the absorption of omega-3 fats, which protects against everything from depression to diabetes.

Potassium rich vegetables

Add potassium rich vegetables like white turnips to salty dishes like soups. Potassium helps the body conteract the harmful effects of sodium overload.

Better Together

Add a splash of citrus, such as lemon, orange or lime juice, to your green tea. It helps increase your body's absorption of tea catechines, the powerful antioxidants that can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

OverIndulgence

Lavender helps to settle the stomach and dispel the depression that often follows overindulgence. Make a tea with three lavender sprigs for one cup of waer and drink hot.

Prevent Hangover

Make a tea by putting one teaspoon of milk thistle seed per cup of water and boil for 10 minutes. Strain and drink hot. Take a cup of this tea 3 times during the day before going to a party.

Milk thistle tea taken before drinking alcohol in excess helps protect the liver from toxic stress.

Lip Injury

If you have had an injury to the lip, the small blood vessels in the injured areas can dilate and cause the blue bulges. Your doctor can fix these by making a little nick in the lip and either frying the blood vessel or fishing it out and tying it off.

Protect Your Lips

You should also protect your lips with sunblock. If they get damaged by sun, they are liable to develop lip cancer, especially on the lower lip. That's where we get more sun exposure.

Vaseline!

Don't put vaseline on your lips. Vaseline is made from the goop that comes from oil wells (petroleum jell?). It is something you don't want close to your mouth as you will ingest little bit each day. Instead use Burt's Bees lip balm to moisten your dry lips.

Ice for Nosebleed

Holding ice in your hand will overcome a nosebleed. It causes contraction of the vessels of the nasal mucous membrane. You can also immerse your hands in cold water for a long time.

Chair Size

Once upon a time a chair 18 inches wide was standard; today, new seats are several inches wider to carry the new, bigger Americans! Living the supersized life of steadily increasing portions has made it very difficult for many of us to maintain an optimum weight.

It's time to get control of how much you are eating as well as what you are eating.

You can safely, permanently, and healthfully loose weight by keeping this in mind:

Superfoods + Exercise + Portion Control

White Spots

White spots on teeth are usually a sign of enamel breakdown, decalcification, and too much fluoride. So, if your kid does eat toothpaste, have him drink a lot of milk, that neturalizes the fluoride. Keep the toothpaste to a pea size for children, to lower the amount they might swallow.

Mouth Breathers

When mouth breathers while sleeping or not are exposed to all the air, it dries the gum and enamel to create gingivities and possible bone decay.

So, remind yourself to close your mouth as often as you can.

Water Therapy For Fever

Drinking 2 to 3 pints of cold water can reduce a high fever 1/2 to 2 degrees in few minutes.

Cold water lowers body temperature, absorbs heat of the fever, and dilutes the blood. It helps the skin and kidneys eliminate the toxins caused by fever reaction. It increases evaporation of fluids and this also reduces fever.

Fever patients should drink from 24 to 32 cups (8 oz is one cup) a day.

Which Oil?

Cold-pressed, unrefined oils retain more nutritional value and flavor.

For high temperature cooking:

Use olive, canola and sesame oils.

For low temperature cooking:

Use sunflower, hazelnuts, and canola oils

For cold dishes:

Use sunflower, hazelnut, wheat germ, walnut and olive oils.

Peptic Ulcers

Raw cabbage and green plantains (cooked) can help ulcers heal and discourage recurrence.

It takes about a quart of cabbage juice a day for a week or more to notice any improvement.

Vitamin C Supplements

If you take vitamin C supplements, it is best to take it in the form of ascorbic acid with added bioflavonoids. Your body can absorb only a limited vitamin C at one time, so take it in small doses like 250 mg at a time twice a day rather than 500 mg once a day.

1,000 mg of supplemental vitamin C is more than enough to optimize health benefits from this vitamin.

Choose the Right Orange Juice!

The concentration of vitamin C in orange pulp is double and ten times than that found in the juice. This means you should make a point of buying orange juice with pulp. So, make it a point to eat an orange a day and drink high pulp orange juice.

Also, include other fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C. Try to make them a regular part of your diet.

Citrus and Cancer

There is evidence that citrus can help reduce the risk of developing lung cancer. Consuming foods rich in beta cryptoxanthin, the orange-red carotenoids that are found in high amounts in oranges as well as corn, pumpkin, papaya, tangerines, and red bell peppers, may lower lung cancer risk.

Drinking about 2 glasses of orange juice a day, increased the vitaminc C concentrations in the blood by 40 to 60 percent.

Caution: Bean Sprouts

Most sprouts can be eaten raw, except sprouted soybeans. They contain a potentially harmful toxin that is destroyed by cooking.

People with LUPUS should avoid alfalafa sprouts in any form as it can prompt a flare-up symptoms.

Cold Weather Cholesterol

Did you know that blood contains less water in winter, and slightly concentrated cholesterol. This means your total cholesterol reading could be a bit higher in winter than in summer.

Cold weather readings could lead to a misdiagnosis of high cholesterol. So, get several checks, make sure that at least one is in the spring or fall, when levels are at a midpoint.

Water And Weight Loss

Water is nature's ideal diet drug, the more you take in, the better you feel.

Follow this schedule to ultilize water most efficiently to reduce weight.

Morning: 1 quart over a 30 minute period.

Noon: 1 quart over a 30 minute period.

Evening: 1 quart between 5 and 6 o'clock.

Not only will the stomach and midriff trim, but skin will get clearer and eyes brighter. You will look younger and healthier than before.

Decongestant Tea

Make a standard tea with thyme, ground ivy and hyssop. Drink at the onset of a cold or if you are congested. These herb contain volatile oils that clear nose, throat, and chest. The thyme helps eliminate sticky mucus and combine well with ground ivy and hyssop to relieve congestion.

Zap Your Wrinkles

Fill the atomizer with 1 cup of water, add 2 or 3 drops of an essential oil. Refrigrate the solution over-night. Simply spray, and then blot your skin with a tissue.

Caution: Shellfish

People with gout should eat shellfish only rarely. Shellfish are high in purines that can raise uric acid levels.

Pumpkin Seeds Useful for Prostate Problems

Pumpkin seed extract can significantly improve symptoms such as urinary flow time, quantity and frequency in patients suffering from enlarged prostate. Prostate sufferers should eat atleast 25 g of pumpkin seeds a day.

Choose hulled pumpkin seeds that are a uniform green, not brown, which is a sign of rancidity. Use them within 2 months.

Pumpkin Seeds Reduce Gallstones

Pumpkin seeds can reduce the formation of calcium oxalate crystals, which can lead to bladder stones. Pumpkin seeds are believed more effective in reducing crystals than conventional treatment.

Indigestion Relief

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 cup of water and drink it for quick indigestion relief.

Varicose Veins Folk Remedy

To relieve achy varicose veins, soak a cheesecloth in apple cider vinegar and place it on your legs for about 30 minuts twice a day. For best results, do this while lying down with your feet propped up.

Get Rid Of Dandruff Naturally!

This is really esay. Shake a tablespoon of salt into your dry hair and rub it in before shampooing will get rid of dandruff naturally.

Drink Tea for Strong Bones

Scientist found that women who regularly drink tea have stronger bones than women who don't. This benefit comes from the antioxidants in tea.

Apricots Reduces Fever

Blend honey, apricots with some water and drink to reduce fevers. It quenches the thirst and effectively eliminates the waste products from the body.

It is also an excellent source of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron and traces of sodium, sulphur, manganese, cobalt and bromine.

Caution: Soybeans

Raw soybeans, including soybean sprouts, contain a toxin that must be destroyed by thorough cooking before eating. Because the effects of exposure to estrogenlike compounds in plants early in life are not yet known, the advice is to give soy formula to infants only when there is no other alternative.

Wheat Germ and Iron Absoption

Wheat Germ is the most nutrient part of germ, retrieved after milling white flower. Wheat Germ needs no preparation, just sprinkle its golden nutty flakes over any dish.

Wheat germ is high in phytic acid, which reduces the absorption of its high iron and zinc content. Eating a vitamin C rich food at the same meal increases iron absorption.

Caution: Avocados Cause Allergic Reaction

People who are sensitive to latex should avoid touching or eating avocados as it contains an enzyme called chitinase that can cause an allergic reaction.

Avocado For Psoriasis

The avocado oil is beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis. Apply regularly on affected parts to remove the scales.

Did You Know.... About Avacodes?

Avocados start to ripen only after being cut from the tree. In fact, the mature fruit can be left on the tree for 6 months without spoiling. Once picked, a green avocado will ripen in a few days.

Avocado have more protein than any other fruit.

Very high in calories, with 85% coming from fat.

Avocados should be served raw; they have a bitter taste when cooked. But can be added to hot dishes that have already been cooked.

Artichokes Worsen Gallstones

Artichoke might make gallstones worse by increasing bile flow; use artichoke with caution.

Artichokes - Allergic Reaction

Artichokes can provoke an allergic reaction in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants. People at the greatest risk of allergic reactions are those who are allergic to plants such as marigolds, daisies, and other similar herbs.


If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking artichoke.

Cramps - Drink Water

Dehydration is probably the most common cause of muscle cramps and the easiest to prevent. Drink atleast 8 glasses of water each day to wash away painful cramps before they start.

Get Your Blood Flowing

If you have back pain, try this natural way to relieve your pain before popping pain killers.

Fill the tub with hot water and for every quart of water, pour 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil. Soak your feet for atleast 10 minutes.

The lavender gets blood flowing all over your body, like a internal hot compress and muscles will heal faster.

Apricots's Allergic Reaction

A natural salicylate in apricots may trigger an allergic reaction in aspirin sensitive people.

Dried Apples - Beware!

Sulfur dioxide is often added to dried apples to preserve their moistness and color. It can provoke an allergic reaction or asthma attacks in a susceptible person.

Apple - Nature's Toothbrush!

Apples have been called nature's toothbrush. While they don't actually cleanse the teeth, they enhance dental hygiene. Bitting and chewing an apple stimulates the gums, and the sweetness of the apple prompts an increased flow of saliva, which reduces tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria in the mouth.

Choosing Rice

Parboiled or converted white rice retains slightly more nutrients than ordinary white rice. Brown basmati rice is the quickest cooking brown rice.

Rice Reduces Bowel Disorders

Brown rice has less fiber than wheat, but still helps prevent constipation and related disorders. In animal trials, rice bran had some effect in preventing bowel cancer. Starch as well as fiber reduces the risk of colon cancer.

Choose Your Honey!

Honey is heat treated unless the label on a jar of honey states that it is cold-pressed, unfiltered, or raw. The least treated honey is honeycomb. Honey remains liquid or soft longer at room temperature. It keeps indefinitely and there is no need to chill it.

Rosemary If Confused

If you are feeling confused and have trouble concentrating, try adding rosemary herb to your menu. It is believed that rosemary help keep brains sharp and memories clear.

Ripe Bananas To Raise Mood

Eating 1-2 ripe bananas without any other food causes mood-raising serotonin and help sleep.

Constipation or Diarrhea

Starch in less ripe bananas resists digestion, leading to bulkier feces, easing constipation.

Very ripe bananas are traditionally used for diarrhea.

Bananas Improve Stamina

Very ripe bananas are high in sugars. Eaten after 30 minutes of exercise, when muscle energy is exhausted, ripe bananas can imporve stamina.

So. if you are fitness freak, go for bananas.

Alcohol Damages Liver

Because liver metabolizes alcohol, it is vulnerable to damage, including a fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and eventually scarring, or cirrhosis.

Even a weekend of heavy drinking causes a buildup of fatty cells in the liver.

Long-term alcohol use often results in excessive weight gain, even though the person may consume less food. This is because alcohol is high in calories and is often consumed with fatty, high calorie foods like potato chips and salted nuts.

If there is a liver damage, protein intake must be monitored to prevent further liver problems.

I feel everyone should remind oneself of this clipart when alcohol is offered!

A Balanced Diet Vs. Supplements

In any event, high dose supplements should be avoided unless recommended by your physician, as they can lead to nutritional imbalances.

eg. zinc supplements can interfere with the body's use of folic acid and iron supplements can inhibit proper calcium and zinc absorption.

So, the best approach is a balanced diet that contains a wide variety of fresh foods which usually supplies all the vitamins, minerals, and energy that a person needs to maintain optimal health and vitality.

Lubricate Your Brain

In a study, those who ate at least 5 tablespoons of olive oil a day tested best on memory and problem solving skills. It is the monounsaturated fat that enhances your brainpower, but olive oil also has vitamin E and other antioxidants. Next time, you are in the kitchen, use olive oil instead of corn or soybean oils.

Confused - Not Always Alzheimer!

Just because you are confused or show other signs of dementia doesn't mean you have Alzheimer's disease. It might mean you simply need to drink more water. Dehydration causes confusion, disorientation, and other problems. So, drink water even if you are not thirsty.

Curcumin - Recent Research

Curcumin, a substance in turmeric, a spice used in Indian curry dishes, may be effective antioxidant that helps to protect against cataracts. Studies show that curcumin may protect the lens of the eye from becoming cloudy.

Green Tea Fights Cancer!

Green tea contains EGCG, a catechin that may help to fight cancer in three ways:

1. It may reduce the formation of carcinogens in the body.

2. Increase the body's natural defenses.

3. Suppress cancer promotion.

Foods That Help Lungs

Flavonoid naringin, found in white grapefruit appears to shield the lungs from environmental toxins.

Foods rich in vitamin E may also prevent oxidative damage to the lungs.

Alternative practitioners feel that bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, also reduce inflammation in the airways.

Wine And Beer For Kidney Stones?

Wine and beer are actually the most effect beverage in preventing kidney stones. Alcohol helps fight kidney stones by making you urinate more often and  diluting your urine.

However, alcohol contributes to so many other health problems, that it is not wise to take up drinking just battle kidney stones.

If you don't drink, don't start. If you do drink, limit your alcohol intake to one or two glasses of wine or beer a day.

Beware of Grapefruit

Not all citrus fruits make good kidney stone fighting drinks. Grapefruit juice actually increases your risk of kidney stones. It is believed that grapefruit might increase your body's absorption of oxalate from other foods.

Another beverage you might want to avoid is apple juice, which increased men's risk for kidney stones but did not affect women's risk.

Go Bananas for Kidney Stones

Eat plenty of potassium rich food to combat kidney stones. Potassium helps by increasing the level of citrate in your urine. Make an effort to eat more potassium rich food which includes bananas, tomatoes, oranges, avocados, figs, beans, and potatoes.

Treat Your Upset Stomach

To treat your upset stomach, use peppermint tea leaves. Pour one cup of boiling water over a heaping tablespoon of peppermind tea leaves and steep for 5 minutes. Drink a cup of this tea between meals, but no more than four cups a day. Menthol oil in the tea is responsible for the soothing effect.

Caution: Don't give peppermint to children, as menthol can give them a choking feeling.

Plain Old Egg Whites

Plain old egg whites are an alternative to expensive facial masks. Just apply the whites to your face with a makeup brush. As the egg whites dry, your skin will tighten up, including the saggy area under your eyes.

Have A Ball

More than 300 anti-snoring products are patented with the US Patent and Trademark Office. One cheap and effective anti-snoring device is a simple tennis ball. Sew one or two to the back of your pajamas and you'll find it difficult to sleep on your back - the position that makes you most likely to snore. Sleeping on your back also leads to more frequent and severe sleep apnea events.

Cruciferous Vegetable and Thyroid Function

Goitrogens are present in raw cruciferous vegetables and may interfere with the synthesis of thyroid hormone. Individuals with hypothyroidism may want to cook cruciferous vegetables to deactivate goitrogens. Conversely, those with hyperthyroidism may want to increase intake of raw cruciferous vegetables.

Asthma Sufferers Beware of Dried Apricots

Bright yellow or orange dried apricots are preserved with sulfur dioxide, which can cause adverse reactions in some asthma sufferes.
Unless dried apricots are labeled as sulfur-free, anyone with asthma should avoid them.

The kernels can be toxic.

The Ride That Can Kill

In some cases, the speed and force of the roller coaster ride can cause bleeding inside your brain, more than just a upset stomach, which could lead to a stroke. If you suffer from frequent headaches, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, or any other serious heart or brain disorder, stay off the ride.

However, if you cannot resist, beware of the main sign of trouble - a headache afterward. See your doctor immediately if one occurs.

Bank Some Blood

Because you have access to unlimited amounts of meat and other sources of protein, chances are you have too much iron stockpiled in your blood. People with higher levels of iron tend to get worse after having a stroke, and they suffer more brain damage than other stroke victims.

So, if you are in good health, stop by the next blood drive and donate blood. By doing so, you will reduce the amount of iron in your body and do a good deed in the process.

Artichokes for Cholesterol

Artichokes contain an ingredient called cynarin which helps lower cholesterol. In fact, cynarin extract is currently used in cholesterol lowering drugs. So just add artichokes to your plate a few times each week.

Beta Carotene Supplements!

Vegetables rich in beta carotene are probably protective against some cancers, but beta-carotene supplements are toxic and increase the risk of lung cancer.

Apple Juice?

Drinking large quantities of apple juice encourages tooth decay and diarrhea, especially in children. Apple juice that has turned brown may encourage carcinogenic compounds.

Caution: Wild Watercress

A word of precaution when picking watercress, avoid picking from any streams, which are close to fields of cattle and sheep. Liver fluke can contaminate watercress, which is common in cattle but more especially sheep. Watercress from these parts can still be picked but needs washing and cooking to kill the bacteria whilst watercress found growing away from herds of cattle or sheep flocks can be eaten raw in perfect safety.

My simple advice would be to never pick and eat any wild watercress.

Watercress for Skin Problems

As a purifying herb, watercress is considered helpful to clear the skin. This is due to its mustard oil, which stinulates the circulation and improves the production of gastric acid, which sterilizes bacteria in food.

Iodine in Seaweed May Help Benign Breast Disease

A Pennsylvania doctor, who noticed that low iodine areas in the US have high rates of breast cancer, prescribed iodine for 588 women with painful, lumpy breast, indicating a higher long term risk of breast cancer.

Over a year, 9 out of 10 women had good to excellent results, and 43% felt complete relief from their symptoms.

Caution: Large amount of  iodine eaten long term, for example more than 1,000 mcg a day - may interfere with thyroid function.

High in sodium, seaweed is best eaten as a flavoring, not in large amount.

Did you know... About Fennel?

Do not eat fennel seeds during pregnancy. They may stimulate contractions in the uterus.

Fennel Relieves Wheezing

Syrup made with fennel oil is a long established expectorant that can help clear coughs.

Celery Helps Joint Conditions

Celery stimulates urine production, which may be helpful for joint complaints, such as gout, which are related to the body's retention of unwanted substances.

Asparagus and Gout

Gout sufferes should avoid asparagus. It is high in purines that can raise uric acid levels.

Whole Milk Yogurt

Creamy whole milk yogurt is higher in fat than most yogurt but is still lower in fat than cream.

Walnuts

Never eat walnuts that taste bitter. This means oxidation has started with possible harmful effects.

Rancid Oils

Eating seeds (sunflower) or oils that are rancid, either because of over heating or poor storage, increases the risk of the formation of free radicals.

Unrefined sunflower oil has more flavor than refined oil and loses no nutrients in processing.

All Natural Cold Pressed Organic Perilla Oil - Unfiltered, Unrefined - 250 Ml (8.3 Oz)

Health Bites of Rice

Choose brown rice because it has more vitamins and minerals than plain milled white rice, which are stripped of many of its nutrients. Brown rice is also high in oryzanol (this compound relieves menopausal hot flashes, lower cholesterol, and prevents cancer causing nitrosamines) and insoluble fiber. However in United Staes, white rice is "enriched" by adding back many of its nutrients.

Brown Rice for Kidney Stones

Brown rice provides high levels of magnesium mineral, which may improve kidney stones.

Improve Memory With Potatoes

Eating 1 cup of mashed potatoes may significantly improve short and long term memory in healthy people with poor memory. Scientist hypothesize that potatoes may enhance the production of memory-enhancing brain chemicals.

Pomegranate Lowers Cholesterol

A study suggests that drinking as little as one-quarter cup of pomegranate juice daily may improve cardiovascular healthy by significantly reducing oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Pomegranate and Bone Health

Pomegranates have lots of manganese mineral, which is essential for strong teeth and bones.

Lower Cholesterol With Pineapple

Pineapple is high in pectin fiber and gum fiber which have cholesterol lowering properties and also promote healthy bowel function.

Vitamin C of Bell Peppers

One cup of fresh bell peppers supplies even more vitamin C than 1 cup of fresh orange juice. For maximinzing the benefits of vitamin C, eat uncooked peppers, since this vitamin is easily destroyed by heat.

A study in California found that women who consumed large quantities of bell peppers, had the lowest incidence of a type of brain tumor called glioma.

Help Your Lungs With Onions

Studies have found a significantly reduced risk for lung cancer among people who eat quercetin-rich foods, such as red onions. Studies also show that quercetin is better and more efficiently absorbed from onions than from other foods.

Onions Benefit

High heat cooking significantly reduces the benefits of diallyl sulfide, most abundant in onions which appears to increase levels of cancer-fighting enzymes, particularly in stomach. Fresh, raw onion has the most health benefits, and mincing or even chewing the onion helps to release the phytochemical power.

Choose the Right Olive Oil

Since heat and chemicals used in processing olive oil can diminish nutrient content, it's best to choose those oils that are minimally processed, such as extra-virgin or cold-pressed olive oil.

Storing Olive Oil

To preserve flavor as well as disease-fighting compounds, store olive oil in an airtight container in the refrigerator or other cool, dark place, and use as soon as possible. Refrigerated olive oil will solidify, so you will have to let it reach room temperature before it's pourable.

Shiitake Mushrooms and Cholesterol

In a small study, Japenese who ate about 3-4 ounces of fresh shiitakes or 2 ounces of dried, experienced a substantial reduction in cholesterol within 1 week. So, if you have high cholesterol, shiitakes may lower cholesterol by promoting cholesterol excretion.

Mushroom and B Vitamins

Since B vitamins n mushrooms leach into water when heated, if you soak dried mushrooms to reconstitute them, it's best to use the soaking water in the recipe. Since some people may react to the allergens in raw mushrooms, it's best to eat them only in small amounts.

Honeydew for Eyes

Zeaxanthin is a vital component in the retina of the eye, this carotenoid helps to shield aganist damaging ultraviolet radiation, protecting against vision loss. Honeydew is the best melon source of zeaxanthin.

Melons and Blood Pressure

Melons such as cantaloupe and honeydew are good source of potssium, which is linked to lower blood pressure and reduce the incidence of heart disease and stroke.

Kiwi and Blood Pressure

Kiwi is an excellend source of potassium, a mineral that helps the heart work more efficiently, and plays a key role in controlling blood pressure. One kiwi has 252 mg of potssium which is 8% of the Daily Value.

Catnip

"Catnip" is a perennial herb of the mint family.

Catnip contains a substance, known as nepetalactone, which has a sedative effect in humans. Due to this effect, catnip may also be used to help lessen migraine headaches. Catnip calms the nerves, soothes digestion and lowers a fever without raising it first. Can be successfully used to calm gastric and duodenal ulcers, increase milk flow, and ease stress.

Borage and Adrenal Function

Borage seed oil extract improves adrenal function, easing the stresses of menopause, obesity, rheumatism, and steriod or antibiotic treatment.

Celery and Blood Pressure

Chewing on crunchy vegetables especially celery daily can lower levels of stress hormones in your blood. This allows your blood vessels to expand, giving your blood more room and reducing pressure.

Check Your Numbers

Blood pressure readings between 130/80 and 150/100 are most likely to be inaccurate. For better accuracy, request an ankle-arm ratio (measuring blood pressure around your ankle as well as your upper arm). The ankle reading divided by the arm reading should be higher than 0.9. If it's not, it can mean serious heart trouble for you.

Worried about arteries?

Eat a persimmon. This reddish-orange fruit from China can help keep your arteries open. Persimmons have high levels of fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and antioxidants - all super weapons for fighting atherosclerosis.

Oats Limitations!

Amount greater than those suggested should not be eaten regularly. Oat bran is high in phytic acid, which limits the absorption of calcium, iron, and zinc from other foods.

Oats and Cholesterol

Oats can can have a dramatic effect on moderately raised cholesterol levels. One and half oz oatmeal a day had a 3% greater drop in total cholesterol, and a 14% cut in bad LDL type cholesterol after 8 weeks.

Basil and Cholesterol

Fresh or dried basil is teeming with powerful antioxidant, responsible for basil's unique flavor. Flavonoids and phytochemicals in basil has the potential in reducing total and harmful LDL cholesterol, as well as suppress tumor growth.

You can wash the leaves, let them dry and set them into a freezer bag and freeze.

Green Tea for Lemonade

Make cubes of iced green tea and use to cool lemonade.

Weight Loss

Evidence suggest that drinking green tea may promote weight loss. Though the amount of green tea required to achieve weight loss has not been specified, but the researchers suggest that long-term consumption of green tea may decrease the incidence of obesity.

Did you know... About Tea?

Drinking too much tea is counter-productive. Excess fluoride make spots on the teeth and excess caffeine causes insomnia.

Drinking scalding tea has been linked to cancer of esophagus. A recent Iranian study found that people who drink piping hot tea within 2 minutes after it's poured are 5 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than those who wait at least 4 minutes for it to cool down. So cool your extra steamy tea!
 

 

Any tea drunk with meals reduces the iron absorption from the food.

Rich Source of Fluoride

In low-flouride areas, drinking 2-3 cups of tea a day can reduce tooth decay.

Tea and Stomach Cancer

A study in Japan showed that an area with a high rate of drinking green tea had lower rates of stomach cancer. Antioxidant flavonoids in tea can hinder potential cancer causing substances such as nitrosamines associated with smoked food and the residues of nitrate fertilizers.

Green tea has a stronger antioxidant action and less caffeine that black tea.

Crushed Garlic Cloves

Crushing garlic cloves releases its oil, allowing beneficial sulfur compounds to form. To capture these volatile compounds, eat garlic as soon as possible after crushing or chopping.

Chilies and Stomach Cancer

Heavy use of chilies may increase the risk of stomach cancer. This appears to be the major stumbling block when it come to the health effect of chillies. Opinion seems to vary greatly as to whether chillies help prevent or cause stomach cancer.

Researchers at Yale University of Medicine concluded in 1994 that chili pepper consumption may cause increased risk of stomach cancer.

Another recent study by Mexico National Institute of Public Health found higher rates of gastric cancer in people with high chillie intake (9-25 jalapenos a day!). However no clinical evidence was found that it was the chillies that were causing the increase in cancer.

A Berkley neurobiology study however found the opposite to be true. They concluded that capsaicin/chillie consumption to be "protective against stomach cancer".

Perhaps rather predictably there is no clear answer to the question 'are chillies good for you?'. However there is mounting evidence that chilies may do more good than harm.
My advice would be to stop worrying and start cooking!

Orange Zest

Orange zest is an excellent way to eat more of the fruit peel, which is richest in beneficial orange oil. More health-promoting flavonoids are found in the peel and inner white pulp of the orange than in its liquid orange center.




Use slender strands of zest to garnish salads and savory dishes and to decorate desserts.

Pectin Helps Lower Cholesterol

Oranges and apples provide pectin, a form of soluble fiber that helps reduce blood cholesterol, especially "bad" LDL type cholesterol. Pecting is found mainly in the skin around each segment and in the peel of an orange.