Green Food & Drink

The Healing Power of Sea Vegetables

Sea vegetables are not, botanically speaking, really vegetables. But they can be eaten as or with vegetables, they are green and leafy, and "sea vegetable" somehow sounds more palatable than "seaweed"! Sea vegetables are amazing foods. In Japan, they are a staple food that is fried, steamed, boiled, toasted, etc. Sea vegetables are eaten by coastal-dwelling people all over the world. Practitioners of a macrobiotic diet - a Japanese-based, vegetarian diet and overall lifestyle that has been reported to alleviate cancer - incorporate large amounts of sea vegetables into their dishes, often serving them in some form for every meal. What makes these ocean-dwelling plants so healthful? * Iodine - All types of sea vegetables contain iodine, although some contain more than others. Iodine is an essential nutrient that supports thyroid function. In fact, people who experience a sluggish thyroid often find the problem corrected when they ingest kelp tablets. Kelp is a kind of sea vegetable that is especially high in iodine. Arame is also high in iodine. * Calcium - Japanese women, who eat very few dairy products, do not suffer osteoporosis any more frequently than dairy-consuming westerners do. The secret may lie in the calcium-rich sea vegetables so common in the ...

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Superfoods

Superfoods are foods that we don't always remember to include in our diets, that are full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to live healthy lives. Check out some superfoods that you should remember to include in your diet. Adzuki Beans Adzuki Beans are smaller than black beans, have a red/brown color, and are full of nutrients. These beans have some of the highest levels of protein and lowest levels of fat of any type of bean out there. Not to mention, these beans have high levels of fiber, B vitamins, potassium, zinc, manganese, and iron. They promote regular bowel movements, help lower cholesterol and are a great source of energy. Hemp Seeds Hemp seeds are an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 is made up of 3 acids: DHA, EPA, and ALA. ALA can also be found in flax seeds and chia seeds. Hemp seeds have more protein than both eggs and milk and they are easier to digest. Grapefruits Grapefruits have monoterpenes, which clean out carcinogens in the body. Grapefruits also have both vitamin C and folic acid. Fenugreek Fenugreek is an herb that is often used in the Mediterranean part of the world. Fenugreek reduces cholesterol, menopause symptoms, menstrual ...

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Wonderful Yogurt, Part I

Yogurt is a product that has a variety of uses besides being eaten for breakfast. It's great for a variety of health reasons and can be used as an ingredient in beauty products. Have you ever wondered exactly what yogurt is? Yogurt is created when lactose is fermented by any of the following bacteria's: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Enterococcus faecium, or Streptococcus thermophilus. From the fermentation process, a lactic acid is yielded which turns milk into yogurt and gives it its tangy taste and thick texture. The yogurt cultures provide yogurt with the qualities that make it a healthy product. When you purchase yogurt, look for a label from the National Yogurt Association that says "Live and Active Cultures." This label indicates that the yogurt product has a minimum of 100 million active cultures per gram of yogurt. Also be sure to look out for organic yogurt and buy large containers to save on packaging. Check out some of the reasons why yogurt is a wonderfully versatile product: Yogurt helps to battle lactose intolerance. Consuming yogurt with live cultures has shown to improve lactose intolerance in individuals who are unable to absorb lactose, making yogurt a superb alternative to milk. Yogurt helps ...

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Safe Non-Organic Foods, Part I

There are tons of reasons to buy organic foods. When you find a USDA Organic label on your fruits and vegetables, you can be sure that what you are purchasing wasn't raised with the use of chemical pesticides, fossil fuel based fertilizers, sewage based fertilizers, or genetically modified seeds. When you buy meat with the USDA Organic label, you can be sure that the feeds provided met the same standards, and that the animals were not fed hormones or antibiotics. Thus, organic is generally more sustainable and healthier, for people and for the environment. Some studies have told us that organic is healthier because organic produce has more nutrients, which is thought to be because its soil is often left in a better state after repeated plantings. It's also healthier because you don't run the risk of consuming any pesticides that are left on non-organic produce. The down side with organic foods is that they are typically more costly. Fortunately, the Environmental Working Group put out a new list about foods with the most pesticide residue. Knowing which foods have this can help you decide which foods you absolutely need to buy organic and which foods you can buy non-organic, in ...

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Lentils

Lentils are great for your body and the environment. They are cheap, tasty, healthy and eco-friendly! You'll find that most recipes featuring lentils are sugar-free and gluten-free. In fact, lentils are one of the top 5 healthiest foods in the world. If you're looking for a good source of protein, your search is over. Lentils are a terrific source of protein. In fact, lentils have the highest level of protein by weight of any plant-based food. Lentils are also a very affordable option. At a cost of 20-30 cents, you can get one cup of lentils, which can make up one third of a 150-pound person's daily protein requirement. Not to mention, lentils are packed full of other beneficial nutrients. Lentils are not just the smallest type of beans out there; they are also the best beans for people to consume health wise. Food for thought: generally speaking, the smaller the seed, the more nutrition a food has by volume or weight. Lentils are also low in both sodium and fat, and they have the most alkaline of all the different types of protein sources. Studies have also shown that lentils possess high levels of fiber that is associated with decreased degenerative ...

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