Cell Phone Hygiene

It’s a well-known fact that cell phones are dirty objects, but just how unclean are they? Each square inch of your cell phone contains roughly 25,000 germs, making it one of the filthiest things you come in contact with on a daily basis. That’s something to think about the next time you press your face to your phone. Dr. Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, says this is not surprising. “Nobody ever cleans or disinfects their phone, so the germs and bacteria just keep building up. The germs that accumulate on the phones include E. coli, as well as influenza and MRSA, a germ that causes rashes and skin infections.”

Frequent use of our cell phone causes them to remain warm, creating the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Now that many phones have touch screens, the germs are easily spread from your phone to your hands and face, increasing your chance of infections. Keeping your phone in a warm place such as your pocket or a purse, just acts as a petri dish for the bacteria to grow. (more…)

Meditation Benefits

“Maybe I’ll Start Meditating”

Have you ever said to yourself, “I think I’ll start meditating.”  But then you need to get ready for work, the laundry needs to get started, you need to get some groceries, the kids need to be picked up from school, the list goes on and on. Well – TODAY is the day to start meditating!  And here are the top 3 reasons to get you inspired…

Meditation Benefits

Reason #1 to Meditate:  Because it’s good for your body!

Scientists have found that a consistent practice bolsters your body and helps prevent heart disease, reduce pain and support your immune system. Having a stronger mind-body connection will lower your risk of diseases, help you to cope better with stress, help sleep issues and even improve your memory! (more…)

Pumpkin Health Benefits

Pumpkin is an extremely nutrient dense food, which means that it is full of vitamins and minerals but low on calories. There are many creative ways pumpkin can be incorporated into your diet, including desserts, soups, salads, preserves and even as a substitute for butter. When you go shopping for your Halloween pumpkin get an extra one to cook and eat!

Pumpkin is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family of vegetables (along with cucumber, cantaloupe and squash), and is cultivated around the world for both its fleshy vibrant orange meat and seeds.

According to the USDA National Nutrient database, one cup of pumpkin, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt contains 49 calories, 1.76 grams of protein, 0.17 grams of fat, 0 grams of cholesterol and 12 grams of carbohydrate (including 2.7 grams of fiber and 5.1 grams of sugar). (more…)

Probiotics for Health

Brazil nut trees are native to regions in Brazil, Peru, Venezuela and the Guianas. These trees can grow up to 160 feet tall and live up to 700 years old. Each mature tree can bear up to 300 fruit pods in a season. They are a staple energy source for native Amazonians even today.

Their delicious nuts provide protein and other essential nutrients with selenium being high on the list. Brazil nuts are dense in calories and high in mono-and polyunsaturated fats which help to lower LDL or the “bad cholesterol” and raise HDL , the “good” cholesterol.  They also include a rich supply of vitamin E, vitamin B-complex, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, manganese and potassium.

Why is selenium so important? Scientific evidence suggests that selenium plays a role in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, cognitive decline, liver disease and thyroid disease. The highest concentration of selenium is found in your thyroid gland and is instrumental in keeping your metabolism in balance.

How many Brazil nuts should you eat a day? Just 2 Brazil nuts a day keep the doctor away! Don’t go overboard with these nuts, as too many may result in brittle nails, hair loss, upset stomach and fatigue.

Gluten free?  As an added bonus, it’s good to know that these nuts are free from gluten and are a healthy alternative for people with a sensitivity to wheat and/or have celiac disease.

Selection and storage?  Brazil nuts are available raw, roasted and salted. Keep them stored in a tightly sealed jar and not exposed to sunlight to avoid them becoming rancid.  If you like to shell nuts, just buy them shelled and keep in your refrigerator until you are ready to crack them open!

Serving tips?

• Eat a couple mixed with other nuts and dried fruit for a snack
• Grind the Brazil nuts and sprinkle on salads or vegetables
• Use in making muffins or cookies
• Add to soups or casserole for more substance
• Chop and add to granola or top off your smoothie

REFERENCES:

1. www.nutrition-and-you.com

2. National Institutes of Health. Selenium: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet.

3. Thomson CD, Chisholm A, McLachlan SK, Campbell JM. Brazil nuts: an effective way to improve selenium status. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Feb;87(2):379-84. PMID: 18258628

Probiotics for Health

Did you know that Probiotics can help your mood?

For thousands of years, clinicians have observed a connection between the gut, brain, and overall health. Hippocrates is famously quoted as saying “all disease begins in the gut.” This should not come as a surprise to anyone who has ever experienced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like diarrhea, indigestion, or abdominal discomfort in response to changes in their emotional state. The gut and brain communicate through neural, endocrine and immune pathways. It has become increasingly clear that interactions with intestinal microbiota play an important part in this communication.

Recent insights into the role of the human microbiota in cognitive and affective functioning have led to the hypothesis that probiotic supplementation may act as an adjuvant strategy to ameliorate or prevent depression.  In a recent research study (Reference below), 20 healthy participants without current mood disorder received a 4-week probiotic food-supplement intervention, while 20 control participants received an inert placebo for the same period. In the pre- and post-intervention assessment, cognitive reactivity to sad mood was assessed using the revised Leiden index of depression sensitivity scale. It was exciting to see that the participants who received the 4-week multispecies probiotics intervention showed significantly reduced depression, less repetitive negative thoughts and less aggressive thoughts. Yeah probiotics!
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Kale Health Benefits

Kale is king of all the healthy greens! Kale is loaded with all sorts of beneficial nutrients – some of which have powerful medicinal properties. It’s in the same veggie family as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower (the Brassica Family), which means it’s high in Vitamins A, C and K. It also has 3 grams of protein per serving and is high in fiber. And all this goodness in one cup of cooked kale only gives you 40 calories!

There are many types of kale. The leaves can be green or purple and have either a smooth or curly shape.

Kale Health Benefits

Kale is loaded with powerful anti-oxidants, which are needed to counteract the damage by free radicals in our bodies. Oxidative damage is believed to increase aging and cause many diseases. By ingesting kale, you will provide your body with quercetin and kaempferol which help to prevent many health problems.

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What is Adrenal Fatigue

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Perched gently on top of your kidneys are your adrenal glands! These amazing little organs produce adrenal hormones that help to regulate your bodily functions and to respond to stress. If you are constantly under stress, your adrenal glands work “over-time” and can become depleted.

People with adrenal fatigue experience a level of fatigue that is not relieved by a night’s sleep. Attempts to stay alert with caffeine, sugar and other stimulants work temporarily, but more and more of these products are needed, and eventually do not help. It becomes harder and harder to get out of bed in the morning. (more…)

Juicing for Health

Why Juice?

Whole forms of fresh produce are the best for your body, but sometimes you just might not have the time to eat a plate of mixed veggies. If you are ill or under stress and needing more energy, juicing may be just the boost you need! Juicing is an ideal way to nourish your body with the important nutrients found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Juicing is also a great way to get nutrients into kids who tend to push the veggies off their plates. Tip: Always try to buy organic fruits and vegetables.

What’s the difference between juice and a smoothie?

Juice is juiced with a juicer! A juicing machine separates the pulp (aka. insoluble fiber) from the liquid. You discard the pulp and drink the juice. You will still get fiber in the form of soluble fiber. (more…)