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 February 2, 2010
Did you know that eating a Mediterranean-style diet can reduce your chances of depression? A recent study from Spain concluded that men and women who ate diets rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, beans, fish, and cereals were 30% less likely to have depression. For one thing, the healthy fats in olive oil, fish, [...]
by laurel on July 5, 2009
Update: This post was featured on the “Health Fitness How To” blog on July 13th. University of Michigan scientists recently presented their new preliminary study in the Experimental Biology convention. They found that a low fat, blueberry-rich diet will help reduce belly fat, cholesterol levels, total body weight, and the total amount of fat in [...]
by laurel on May 12, 2009
My eyes are really sensitive. When I was little, I was allergic to something that caused them to puff up so badly in the mornings that I couldn’t see. These days I have chronic dry eye and allergy flare-ups that make them burn and itch. I’m also really near-sighted…so, walking around without my glasses or [...]
by laurel on July 1, 2008
Grass-fed beef is where it’s at. Did you know that the majority of U.S. bovines feed on a mix of grains (mostly corn) instead of grass? Forcing cattle to eat a diet full of grains allows ranchers to fatten them up quicker and get the meat to our stores faster and cheaper. But, the quality [...]
by laurel on June 22, 2008
Purdue University research concluded that eating high-calorie nuts in moderation will not cause weight gain. Nuts have fiber that help your body avoid absorbing some fat. Self Magazine advises eating a quarter cup of nuts twice a week to keep your weight down. (Ref: Self Magazine, July 2008, p. 86) On this same topic, ChefMD® [...]
by laurel on May 20, 2008
I found an interesting study today giving me yet another reason to fit some more healthy fish into my diet. An animal study conducted at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan found that the carotenoid Astaxanthin, which gives salmon its pink color, may boost fat burning in your body and improve endurance. The study [...]
by laurel on April 28, 2008
A study from Iowa State University and Ohio State University found that eating avocado with a meal helps your body absorb more nutrients from your food. Here are the details of the study: First part: Six males and five females were given 300 grams (g) of tomato salsa to eat. Half of the group ate [...]
by laurel on December 8, 2007
MSNBC recently posted a great article on how you can improve your health in 90 seconds. I organized their tips in the following table. WANT PROOF? Fight cancer – Research from Cornell University found that natural chemicals in apple peels can inhibit breast, liver, and colon cancer cell growth. A four-year study from Creighton University [...]
by laurel on November 4, 2007
Natural Awakenings magazine reports that new research from Taiwan proves capsaicin can reduce the growth of fat cells in your body. If you don’t already know, capsaicin is the natural compund that makes red peppers “hot”. This new research also discovered that capsaicin sets off a biochemical signal in your body that forces fat cells [...]