Tag: prevention

Coconut Oil… what’s looking to be a very healthy oil that doesn’t get stored in the body as fat!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, HOMELeave a comment

Image: Amazon

Coconut Oil… have you heard the rave reviews about all the wonderful things it can do? From what I’ve read this past weekend it can aid in losing weight, help prevent or even help those with Alzheimer’s, moisturize skin and hair, increase HDL (good cholesterol), decrease LDL (bad cholesterol), decrease triglycerides, the list goes on and on. We’ll have to wait for long term studies, but for me, I’m jumping on the bandwagon, and taking 1 tablespoon a day. It can’t hurt. Let me know if you’ve tried it. WHY are YOU taking it?  HOW are you taking it? I tried eating it off the spoon (it’s like lard), that was a little difficult, so I heat it ever so slightly and swallow… a tablespoon is doable, I personally chase it with a Triple Ginger Cookie from Trader Joe’s :) some people but it on toast, in coffee, in oatmeal, in smoothie’s, use it as oil and topping when making popcorn… AND the reason I bumped into the health benefits about coconut oil was because I saw a recipe for Double Coconut Muffins on the Smittin Kitchen website… whoa, they sounded good, and I had just spoken to my mom who told me about a video that someone just told her about (click HERE to see it) about how it’s helping Alzheimer’s Disease, and also helping to prevent. I’m sure long term studies are a ways off, but if you have a family history of Alzheimer’s you know how devastating it can be. I vowed to try this, it’s worth it to me… so now, I think everyone I know is taking this for one reason or another. I just didn’t want you to be left out of the loop!

Google Coconut Oil  and you will see so much information it will make your head spin. Try to read from reputable sources and realize that anyone can post anything to the Internet… From what I’ve read, you should buy VIRGIN coconut oil. Ideally Organic virgin (or extra virgin) coconut oil. UNREFINED, since they alter the makeup of the oil when it’s refined. Refined is good for using as a moisturizer for skin and hair. One more thing… you can often find it in the grocery store in the baking aisle, however, often times these are NOT the virgin organic varieties… those are mostly found in the health aisle… ask if you are unsure. Read HERE the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil by Charles Mattock, I got this from Dr. Oz’s website…

Here is a blip from Nutiva (extracted from Amazon):

A deliciously healthy cooking oil. Better than butter. USDA organic. Unrefined & no trans fats. Rich in lauric acid. A soothing body oil. The coconut oil myth. Coconut oil has been mistakenly described as not healthy. The fact is, coconut oil is cholesterol-free and rich in medium-chain good fats that doctors recommend. Why is it that baby formulas often include coconut oil? Because coconut is one of the world’s most nourishing super foods. Nutritionists suggest enjoying up to 3 tbsp of extra-virgin coconut oil each day, so help yourself to this heavenly, creamy taste of the tropics. Nutiva’s cold-pressed Coconut Oil is: Extra-virgin & pure white: not refined, deodorized or bleached! Organic: so it’s free from pesticides, GMOs and hexane. Versatile: Ideal as high-heat cooking oil (up to 350 degrees), as a nutritious substitute in baking, a better-than-butter replacement on bread, vegetables or popcorn, and as a luscious oil for skin care, hair care, and massage. America needs an oil change. While doctors suggest we consume a 4:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3, the average American diet provides a ratio of 20:1 or more – contributing to heart disease, skin disorders, and arterial inflammation. So avoid out of balance soy, corn, and canola oils with their trans fats, oxidation, and GMOs. Cook with coconut oil (with only 1% Omega-6), and use olive oil (also low in Omega-6), and hemp oil (with the perfect 3:1 Omega ratio) for unheated recipes. Nature’s ideal all-purpose cooking oil. No trans or hydrogenated fat; no cholesterol or hexane. Unlike other brands, we press our coconuts within 2 hours of chopping. No refrigeration required. Solid at room temperature and melts at 76 degrees. Any coconut husk fibers at the bottom of the jar are indigenous to the processing and harmless. Coconut oil contains medium-chain good fats with 50-55% lauric acid – a healthful nutrient that supports the metabolism. Certified organic by QAI. Product of the Philippines.

A disclaimer… I in no way am trying to provide medical advice, only passing along what many others have told me. Ask your doctor if you need to know if this is OK for you…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Foods that should never cross your lips… #3

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTHLeave a comment
Image: Prevention.com
Image: Prevention.com

Here is this Thursday’s food that should never cross your lips. Thank you to Prevention magazine for another excellent article!

Microwave Popcorn 

Olga Naidenko, PhD, a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, gives us the scoop:

The problem: Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans, according to a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. Studies show that microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize—and migrate into your popcorn. “They stay in your body for years and accumulate there,” says Naidenko, which is why researchers worry that levels in humans could approach the amounts causing cancers in laboratory animals. DuPont and other manufacturers have promised to phase out PFOA by 2015 under a voluntary EPA plan, but millions of bags of popcorn will be sold between now and then.

The solution: Pop natural kernels the old-fashioned way: in a skillet. For flavorings, you can add real butter or dried seasonings, such as dillweed, vegetable flakes, or soup mix.

Budget tip: Popping your own popcorn is dirt cheap.

Ahhh, something else that’s good on popcorn? PARMESAN… woohoo!

ARTICLE RECAP: Canned tomatoes, corn fed beef and microwave popcorn!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Cancer Prevention Tip #12 – soy, tofu, miso and tempeh

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTHLeave a comment
Image: FoodServiceDirect.com

 Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine! Now I realize these tips aren’t for everyone, you have to do what’s right for you. For instance I am sensitive to soy. I went through months of hives and severe allergic reactions yet test negative in every way. It’s a frustrating thing to be allergic to since it’s added to almost everything from BBQ sauce to tuna. The choice is yours, I wish I could go back to it, I loved my decaf soy latte on occasion… and my smoothie’s made with vanilla soy milk… ahhhh (frozen fruit in a blender with soy milk and some plain or vanilla yogurt. Heavens… tasty and refreshing! But now a no-no for me…

Well today was supposed to be the last chemo treatment… but there was a week (and thank God there was only one!) where my moms white blood count was too low… so she couldn’t get chemo that week… so it tacked on a week. That’s OK… it’s over NEXT WEEK! WOOHOO! On to the cancer prevention tip…

Compounds called isoflavones (including genistein, daidzein, and glycitein) prevent tumor growth and block the stimulation of cancer cells by sex hormones (such as estrogens and testosterone). There are significantly fewer breast cancer cases among Asian women who have eaten soy since adolescence, and when they do have breast cancer, their tumors are usually less aggressive with higher survival rates. Isoflavone supplements (in pill form) have been associated with an  of certain breast cancers, but whole soy, eaten as food, has not.

How to Eat It: Replace conventional milk products with soy milk or soy yogurts for breakfast. Also, use tofu, tempeh, and miso in soups and stir-fries.

Ok mom, I’m going to keep up with the health tips, cancer prevention and whatever else I read about… Keep up the good work, the end of chemo is near J – love you! me

Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

A cancer prevention tip that will make you smile!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTHLeave a comment
Image: Prevention.com

Now this is a cancer prevention tip that makes me smile… it’s one that I don’t have to think about… one that I can do… one that I can OVER do, ha!

Dark chocolate (70%+) is more than a tasty morsel that you let melt in your mouth, it’s rich in so many ways…  uh, excuse me, had to jump up and grab a piece, don’t want to forget! (I heard you laugh… you’re right… like I would forget!)! Info from Prevention magazine . Click HERE for a fabulous article that has the list of foods we’ve been talking about over the past few months!

Cure It with Dessert

Enjoy antioxidant-rich dark chocolate

Chocolates containing over 70% cocoa provide a number of antioxidants, proanthocyanidins, and many polyphenols. In fact, a square of dark chocolate contains twice as many as a glass of red wine and almost as many as a cup of green tea properly steeped. These molecules slow the growth of cancer cells and limit the blood vessels that feed them.

How to Eat It: Enjoy about one-fifth of a dark chocolate bar a day guilt free. Milk chocolate isn’t a good alternative because dairy cancels out the cancer protection of the polyphenol compounds.

Next week is the last of this series…  but there will be more… I promise! Lets recap all the foods that can be fighting for our bodies to help prevent cancer, as long as we feed our bodies these nutritious warriors instead of say, those tart things you pop in the toaster (oh heavy sigh). It’s worth re-reading this list and adding as many to your day as you possibly can. Don’t ever stop!

BRUSSEL SPROUTS – BOK CHOY – CHINESE CABBAGE – BROCCOLI – CAULIFLOWER – GARLIC – ONION – LEEKS – SHALLOTS – CHIVES – WILD SALMON – ANCHOVIES – SMALL MACKEREL – SARDINES – ORANGES – TANGERINES – LEMONS – GRAPEFRUIT – STRAWBERRIES – RASPBERRIES – BLUEBERRIES – BLACKBERRIES – CRANBERRIES – DARK CHOCOLATE and next…. TOFU – MISO – TEMPEH – SOY MILK – SOY YOGURT, but that’s next week!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Ok mom! This is chemo #11, two treatments to go, WOOHOO!!

Love you lady! me

Berries… TODAY’S hot cancer prevention tip…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTHLeave a comment
Image: BonAppetit.com

Who doesn’t love berries? Fresh or frozen they’re always a treat! Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine! Perhaps you’ve heard me talk about what a great magazine Prevention is, it offers ways to stay healthy, from diet to exercise and everything in between. A good gift idea as well! Click HERE to subscribe! (Nope, Prevention Magazine hasn’t a clue as to who I am… wish they did, but this is not a paid advertisement (boohoo), just a heads up about something I rely on!). On to the tip of the day…

Disease-Fighting Fruits – PART TWO

Fresh and frozen varieties provide year-round protection

 Berries

Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries contain ellagic acid and a large number of polyphenols, which inhibit tumor growth. Two polyphenols found in berries, anthocyanidins and proantho­cyanidins, promote cancer cell death.

How to Eat Them: At breakfast, mix fruit with soy milk and multigrain cereals. (The best cereal options combine oats, bran, flaxseed, rye, barley, spelt, and so on.) Frozen berries are just as potent as fresh.

Well, I’ve been adjusting my weekly recipes to include foods we’ve talked about like garlic, onion, salmon, oranges, lemons, ginger, pomegranate juice, green tea, turmeric spice and veggies… finally a week where not much tweaking to my diet is necessary, we consume a good amount of berries, so woohoo… we’ll just keep up the good work!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Here’s to you mom! Week 10… only three weeks remain! Keep up the awesome work, you’re the best!

Turmeric… a powerful spice against cancer?

On By Barbara StroudIn HEALTH, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: Blog.WholeFoodsMarket.com

Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine!

Turmeric

Found in curry powder, this spice is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory available today. It encourages cancer cell death, inhibits tumor growth, and even enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Some research shows that turmeric is most effective in humans when it’s mixed with black pepper and dissolved in oil (olive or canola, preferably). In store-bought curry mixes, turmeric represents only 20% of the total, so it’s better to obtain ground turmeric directly from a spice shop.

How to Use It: Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a teaspoon of olive oil and a generous pinch of ground black pepper and add to vegetables, soups, and salad dressings. Use a tablespoon if you already have cancer.

Whoa! Worth a shot wouldn’t you say? I know they make capsules that contain Turmeric, Black Pepper and Olive Oil… another thing worth trying if the actual taste isn’t quite your thing?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Woohoo Mom… Keep on hanging in there! Love you!… me

One button mushroom! Can you believe it??

On By Barbara StroudIn HEALTH, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: MedicineWorld.org

I read a blip in Prevention magazine that said there was a 64% DECREASE IN THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER FROM EATING ONE BUTTON MUSHROOM DAILY!  This should be front page news… Even if you don’t like mushrooms, it seems like there could be some way to sneak one into your day! Lucky for me, I DO like mushrooms, and after reading this I AM going to eat more of them!

It’s Thursday. My mom has her first chemo treatment today… I am praying things go well, my hope is that she’ll feel great and continue on without any problems… I’m going to dedicate the next 12 Thursdays to different bits of information that I’ve read to help prevent cancer. Pass them on; we all need a break from this ugly beast! OK mom, 1 down, 11 to go!

  Catch you back here tomorrow, if you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !