by laurel on July 30, 2010
I just read about a new study in the New York Times on how eating nuts can improve your cholesterol levels. The study found that eating 2.4 servings of nuts (of any kind): Reduces your total cholesterol level Reduces your LDL “bad” cholesterol level Improves your ratio of total cholesterol to HDL “good” cholesterol In [...]
by laurel on July 26, 2010
Over the last two years I’ve been having fun trying different superfoods and figuring out how to add them into my daily diet. I recently bought some bee pollen and added it to my morning smoothie. It was really easy to incorporate and soft enough that I didn’t need to soak it before putting it [...]
by laurel on July 23, 2010
I’ve been very active this summer with dance classes and cardio workouts at the gym, so naturally my appetite has increased. Man, sometimes I feel like I’m snacking all day long! I often have eggs for breakfast because they fill me up and have lots of protein, vitamin D, selenium, and carotenoids (the antioxidants that [...]
by laurel on July 21, 2010
Avocados are a staple for me. I use them almost every day in salads, shakes, sandwiches, or to eat plain as a side dish. I love avocados because they’re filling and versatile. Plus they have a wonderfully creamy quality that makes them a perfect substitute for mayonnaise. I love having mashed up avocado spread on [...]
by laurel on July 19, 2010
Do you feel like you always avoid desserts because you’re afraid of gaining weight? If so, I know how ya feel. Many popular desserts are loaded with unhealthy ingredients and tons of calories. But, here’s the good news. Having something sweet every once in awhile can feel really good, especially when you can have something [...]
by laurel on July 19, 2010
I made a big batch of basic tomato salsa over the weekend. Every now and then I buy ready-made salsa from the grocery store, but I’m so happy when I take the effort to make it at home. There’s nothing like a fresh tomato salsa! This is yet another recipe with heart-healthy lycopene. Plus, it [...]
by laurel on July 15, 2010
After I wrote the post on lycopene earlier this week, I was in the mood for some pink grapefruit. I found a huge organic pink grapefruit at my favorite health food store, Westerly’s Natural Market, and decided to make a quick fruit salad for breakfast on Wednesday. We have fresh spearmint growing in our indoor [...]
by laurel on July 13, 2010
Lycopene is the healthy phytonutrient that gives the bright red color to produce such as watermelon and tomatoes. Studies show that lycopene helps keep your blood vessels in their best shape, prevents cancer, and keeps your cholesterol at healthy levels. Here are some of the best food sources of lycopene: Watermelon Tomatoes (red, orange, and [...]
by laurel on July 12, 2010
When we saw a movie in the park last week, one of my friends Angela brought a beautiful Italian Bread Salad to share. It looked so delicious, filling, AND healthy, so I had to snap a quick picture and ask how she made it. This mediterranean-style recipe is a great way to use up a [...]
by laurel on July 8, 2010
Agave nectar has received some serious heat lately. Some of the top nutrition experts have come out and said that it’s highly processed and just as dangerous to our health as high fructose corn syrup. I’ve read lots of great things about agave, and lots of scary things too, so naturally I was confused. Are [...]