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Tag: Healthy Eating

I Love Cinnamon

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Why you should too! 

Cinnamon has been used as a natural medicine for thousands of years. This aromatic spice helps to regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and fight the spread of cancer cells. 

Cinnamon has potent antioxidant and anti-cancer properties that can help to reduce tumor growth. 

A test-tube study done on cinnamon extract demonstrated that the spice not only reduced the propagation of cancer cells, but it also killed them. More human research is being done to understand exactly how cinnamon fights against the spread of cancer in human cells. 

TIPS:

  • Enhance your breakfast cereal or oatmeal by adding half a teaspoon of cinnamon 
  • Add some to your coffee or tea to give it a lovely warm flavor. 
  • Enjoy a cinnamon stick with your herbal tea or spiced cider for a cozy treat 
  • Add cinnamon to roasted butternut squash, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes

When I smell cinnamon, it reminds me of holiday and warm fall days and cozy times. I also love how it’s supposed to help regulate blood sugar That’s why I sprinkle it on lots of great foods and drinks!

The power of broccoli

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Broccoli is one of those foods you must always have in your grocery basket! 
I know I do. I often eat broccoli and in various forms, steamed, roasted, raw, in soups, stews and salads.
It’s been a staple in my kitchen for years.

Why do I believe broccoli is an essential part of my diet? Well,

  • It has strong anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that is reduces the number and size of breast cancer cells.
  • One study shows that it helps to eliminate prostate cancer cells and reduce tumors by half.
  • It contains a high amount of fiber and antioxidants which work together to reduce inflammation and help with digestion and elimination. That, in itself, helps to prevent cancer from growing.

To me, this is THE most important vegetable we can eat. Plus, we have so many options on how to prepare it: In soups, stir fry’s, raw, steamed, etc. I truly believe everyone should make it a regular diet item throughout the week!

THE CANCER/FIBER CONNECTION 

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Colorectal cancers are the third leading cause of cancer mortality rates in the US with over 100,000 new cases of colon cancer and over 40,000 new cases of rectal cancer reported in 2020.

There is evidence linking that eating a high-fiber diet from whole grains and cereals can lead to a lower risk for colon cancer. Fiber also improves satiety and prevents overeating. It prevents obesity, which is linked to higher cancer risk. Healthy sources of fiber include barley, beans, nuts, fruits, and peas.

But getting enough fiber every day can be challenging. Women need 28 grams/day and men need 35 grams. So here’s my tip:

Russ and I add our Fiber mix to our protein shakes. By mixing it in the blender, you’d never know we were drinking fiber! Plus one serving of my favorite fiber mix is 15 grams! That makes it super easy to get the right amount every day!

But here are other ways to add 15 grams of fiber:

  • Breakfast: Switch from juice to ½ to ¾ cup of fruit on cereal, sliced on toast or eaten out of hand: + 2 more grams of fiber
  • Lunch: Swap 2 slices white bread for whole-wheat bread: + 2 grams of fiber. Instead of potato chips, choose 1 cup of raw pepper strips or other vegetables: + 1 gram of fiber
  • Afternoon snack: Instead of a candy bar, tide yourself over with an ounces of nuts: + 2-4 grams of fiber
  • Dinner: Replace part of the chicken or meat in your stir-fry, chili or casserole with ½ cup of black beans or lentils: + 8 grams of fiber
  • TOTAL: 15-17 grams of additional fiber

Fiber matters!

This is just a small sample…

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Dangerous chemicals, flavor enhancers and food dyes are just some of the reasons why other countries ban these foods while Americans consume them without a thought.

Yet, our country has some of the highest rates of Cancer, autoimmune diagnoses, ADHD, etc.
Knowledge is power.

Let’s celebrate the honey bee!

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I did not know this. I have local honey in my tea and I always used a metal spoon.

Did you know that one of the world’s first coins had a bee symbol?

Did you know that honey contains live enzymes?
Did you know that in contact with a metal spoon, these enzymes die? The best way to eat honey is with a wooden spoon; if you can’t find one, use a plastic spoon.

Did you know that honey contains a substance that helps the brain work better?

Did you know that honey is one of the few foods on earth that alone can sustain human life?

Did you know that bees saved people from starvation in Africa?

That a spoonful of honey is enough to keep a man alive for 24 hours?

Did you know that propolis produced by bees is one of the most powerful natural antibiotics?

Did you know that honey has no expiry date?

Did you know that the bodies of the world’s greatest emperors were buried in gold coffins, then covered in honey to prevent putrefaction?

Did you know that the term “Honeymoon” (honeymoon) comes from the fact that the bride and groom consumed honey for fertility after their marriage?

Did you know that a bee lives less than 40 days, visits at least 1000 flowers and produces less than a teaspoon of honey, but for her it is the work of a lifetime.

Thank you precious bees!

Weight Gain and Cancer 

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As i enter the Reintroduce phase of R3, I’ve been thinking about how diet impacts how efficiently we can manage our weight, but it is also directly linked to cancer prevention. Research shows that the higher the body mass index, the higher the risk of getting cancer.

In one of the largest studies ever done, analyzing over five million people, scientists concluded that gaining as little as 34 pounds can increase the risk of getting kidney, liver, or gallbladder cancer by 10%. The simple reason is that body fat is linked to creating hormones that increase inflammation in the body, and ultimately tumor cell growth. 

So as we are still following our 2024 goals, I decided to follow these recommendations:

  • I’m giving some thought NOW as to what PHYSICAL goals I am like to setting for 2024
  • I’m going to keep those goals in mind to help motivate me through the upcoming months

I truly believe R3 is great lifestyle plan to help lose weight and keep it off for a lifetime!

Five Low Sugar Snack Foods for To Help You Sleep Better 

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  • CHERRIES —They are a natural source of melatonin, the sleep hormone that helps regulate your sleeping cycles. 
  • ALMONDS — Packed with magnesium, almonds help relax muscles an promote a sense of calm.
  • GREEK YOGURT — Full of protein an low in carbs, greek yogurt can give you a satisfying feeling without spiking your blood sugar. It contains tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep.
  • KIWI — Kiwis are packed with fiber and antioxidants, plus serotonin! This little gem is a natural mood regulator that helps calm the min and regulates sleep patterns.
  • PUMPKIN SEEDS — Loaded with zinc, they help to produce melatonin.

WINTER WELLNESS SHOTS 

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For those of you who juice, I got this recipe from NAMA, the company I bought my juicer from. A “Wellness Shot” is a condensed version of a cold pressed juice. This particular recipe has both ginger and turmeric which have natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while lemon provides vitamin C. The black pepper is added to help your body optimally absorb the turmeric.

INGREDIENTS 
  • 1 lemon
  • 6 large carrots
  • 1-inch piece fresh turmeric
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger
  • Dash of black pepper
DIRECTIONS
  1. Wash all produce well.
  2. Peel the lemon.
  3. Add lemon, carrots, turmeric, and ginger to the juicer, then pour juice into shot glasses or small glassware and sprinkle black pepper on top of your shot. Enjoy!

Healthy Kitchen Tip 

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If you take a quick glance in the fridge and under the counter, do you see tons of Tupperware and plastic containers?

Plastic containers are convenient and inexpensive, but their potential to be health-harming cannot be overstated. The major problem with plastic is that it’s been shown in studies to leach chemicals into food and drinks. The leaching effect is even greater if heat is added to the equation (like microwaving food in plastic). These chemicals that leach out into the food you eat are linked to metabolic disorders, reduced fertility, and obesity. 

BPA (short for bisphenol A) is probably the most well-known toxin in plastic. It has estrogenic activity and can cause hormonal issues, even with low-level exposure. Unfortunately, BPA-free plastic doesn’t get you off the hook because replacements for BPA have shown equal and sometimes worse effects.

So consider switching everything over to glass containers. It’s long lasting and you won’t have all those misplaced plastic tops and bottoms that haunt those of us who like to be organized!

Are you heading for a Snaccident?

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“When you don’t plan ahead SNACCIDENTS happen! A friend has a long night ahead of him working a casino. Eating junk food and working until 4am is the perfect recipe to weaken the immune system and feel like crap. A few minutes of prep and he can munch away all night and put the odds in his favor to feel good tomorrow.

Like most individuals, i tend to ” get snacky” in the evening. To combat a potential snaccident, I often resort to Fiberwise. This stuff is amazing after dinner as a “dessert”. It helps to keep me feeling full and satisfied while eliminating my desire for late night snacks.

Over time, I have developed different hunger patterns and no longer have a desire for evening snacks!

It always matters what you eat! FYI, I have never had anyone deny me entrance when I show up with my own food.