Enjoying Nuts and Seeds

Indulging in a handful of nuts several times a week is all takes to reap their benefits. 

 I toss seeds in most everything from salads to soups and even cookies.

The definition of a nut is it actually is a fruit.  A fruit with a hard shell and dried.

Pistachios have to be my favorite with Cashews a close second.

Nuts are cholesterol free and loaded with Omega-3s. Their glycemic load is very low so they make a great snack for people who need to watch their blood sugar.

Almonds and Walnuts have been found to help control cholesterol. I learned a trick to get the most from walnuts, soak them in water for a few minutes before eating them. This makes the Omega 3s more available. Flax seed is a strong anti-inflammatory. I really enjoy the flax seed bread.  

People, who consume nuts, and seeds, tend to weigh less.

Nuts are good sources of vitamins E and B2, protein, folate, fiber, and much needed minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and selenium.

Seeds fall into the same healthy category.

One type of seed is found to help against hair loss. Another has been found to work as well as Viagra. Just ask and I’ll tell you what they are. If you already know, share the info with us.

If you’re not taking advantage of the health benefits of nuts and seed you should start. Add them to anything and everything.  Put a hand full in your smoothie. Incorporate them when you’re juicing and enjoying salads and cereal. Crackem and Eatem!

Related Reading:

• Self Nutrition Data.com:  Nuts
• Flax seed, a strong anti-inflammatory:  Self Nutrition Data
• Eating nuts for heart health form the Mayo Clinic
  
  Why Pistachios Aren’t Red Anymore

Flaxseed - Whole 4 oz whole Whole Flaxseed by Botanic Choice contains omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids that support general well being.

Start The Day With Water

So many of us neglect our daily water intake.  

No matter if your day starts morning, afternoon or night one of our priorities should be hydration.  Besides the coffee or tea, whatever your wakeup beverage of choice is, at least one glass of water should be in your getting started routine. Keep water in mind for the rest of the day and every time you have a chance, grab that drink.

I know that it’s tough keeping water on your mind. I was that way for years. When I was younger soda was what I went for. As time went by iced tea became my choice. One day I made a conscious choice to do the hydration thing. Surprisingly this made a difference in the way I felt.   I stopped having that afternoon crash.  

Our bodies are made up about 75% water depending on if you’re male or female. Walking around dehydrated is not healthy and many of us don’t even realize how dehydrated we are.

Beverages loaded with sugar, diet drinks, coffee and tea can contribute to dehydration. Typically these are the choices we make throughout the day.

Take the water challenge. Grab a drink ever chance you get. Take a jug with you. Stop at the drinking fountain or cooler every time you encounter one.  Come back and let us know the difference in how you felt that day.

Typically we need around a gallon a day. This can be different with each person depending on the activities we are engaged in and our health.

·          Water: How much should you drink every day form WebMD

·         Water in Beverages from Self Nutrition Data

I am a little leery of the bottled water. You never know how long those bottles have baked in a 100 degree truck and what chemicals have leached out of the plastic.

·         Invigorate Your Morning

The Cinnamon Curl

Cinnamon is a healthy spice besides being tasty.
Known to increase our energy and vitality levels, high in antioxidants and can improve circulation.

 

Real or true cinnamon (Cinnamomum Verum) can also help stabilize blood sugar levels. Cinnamon is a great source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron, and calcium. 

Especially in the American kitchen we find Chinese Cinnamon (Cinnamon Cassia). The spice companies use it because it’s cheaper. Basically the same flavor and aroma but the chemical make-up is different. Cinnamomum Verum is the choice for better health.

Combined with honey, as a medicine, the list of health benefits is impressive.  

I love the aroma. When my essential oil runs out a dash of the powder while boiling some water sure make the house smell fantastic especially in winter when the air is so dry indoors.

Used in aroma therapy it has been found to be uplifting.  The sweet spicy smell can lower irritability, wake you up, and help with the pain of a headache. 

The spice has also been used as a liniment. 

Gum, candy, breath mints, and baked goods all make use of the aroma and flavor.  I do recall toothpicks, as a kid that we would buy at the 5 and dime. They were hot and a fun trick to play on friends. 

Look for the true cinnamon when you shop. Check for some fresh ideas on ways to use it. (I have seen people that love adding some to their beef stew)

Buy the sticks toss them in the blender and you good to go.

True Cinnamon should be a part of your culinary experience 

 

• Self Nutrition Data: More on Cinnamon 
• Vitamins and Supplements Lifestyle Guide At WebMD: Cinnamon
• There Is More To Honey Than Just Sweet

Cinnamon Essential Oil 1/2 oz Ingestible Cinnamon Essential Oil by Botanic Choice helps maintain health blood sugar levels and supports respiration.

Cinnamon 1000 mg 30 capsules Cinnamon Capsules 1000 mg. by Botanic Choice help maintain blood sugar levels within the normal range and helps lessen gas.

Mosquitos Don't Bother Me

Mosquitos are the most troublesome at dusk and dawn but I believe it depends on your location. I find the pesky little bug seems to be unaware of that rule. They hang around close to the grass in my backyard and seem to have a taste for my ankles.

The DEET products are not a choice I make. Avon has a product the works at times. It's a skin softener and the Avon Lady will tell you it's not made for that purpose and doesn't, and can't, recommend it for that purpose.  (at least mine does)

Finish off the summer without mosquito bites with a natural alternative. A Natural Herbal Remedy.  

I know I shouldn't have enjoyed this but I did get a laugh until I shared my secret. The mosquitos would be attacking my friends and leaving me alone. My explanation was mind over matter. I was using the power of the mind. 
Have you ever watched someone trying to think mosquitos away? Well I thought it was funny.  

BugsBgone 2 oz BugsBgone by Botanic Choice contains nepetalactone which is a natural mosquito repellent which tests have shown to be more effective than DEET.

Spice Up With Pickled Ginger

Spice up your Life! Homemade Pickled Ginger.

8 ounces fresh young ginger root, peeled
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 cup rice vinegar (I find white vinegar works too)
1/3 cup white sugar
Cut the ginger into chunks and set them into a bowl. Sprinkle with sea salt and stir to coat it. Let stand for about 1/2 an hour. 

Transfer the ginger to a clean jar.

In a saucepan, stir together the rice vinegar and sugar until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, then pour the boiling liquid over the ginger pieces in the jar.

Allow the mixture to cool, then put the lid on the jar and store in the refrigerator for at least one week. You will see that the liquid will change to slightly pinkish in few minutes. Don't be alarmed because it's the reaction of rice vinegar (or White) that causes the change.

I was out of rice vinegar for this batch.  The next I'll use the rice vinegar. The white has worked OK. It's good.

Ginger is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Vitamin C, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.
The Glycemic load is 0 and it is slightly anti-inflammatory. Add the fermentation and it has to be even better. 

• Self Nutrition Data: Raw Ginger Root
• Can a Drizzle of Vinegar Help You Cut Calories? Read More At WebMD

Cantaloupe or Muskmelon

When I was growing up members of my family always referred to Cantaloupe as Muskmelon. 

Turns out Muskmelon is a term including all kinds of melons including cucumbers. Honeydew has been one of my summer favorites. Honeydew is in the muskmelon family. 
Cantaloupe is low in Saturated Fat and Sodium, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Niacin, Vitamin B6 and Folate, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Potassium. The Glycemic load is low and it is mildly anti-inflammatory.

I enjoy them chilled. A cool treat on those hot days of summer.
From the garden is best but I like to pick them up at a roadside stand or the farmers market. They are always sweet and delicious when localy grown.   
I enjoy cantaloupe all year from the grocery store but when the local crop is ripe these are the best!

See all the nutritional facts on Cantaloupe at  Self Nutrition Data.com 
More information on Cantaloupe from WebMD.com