HealthYour Gut Loves Variety—Why Whole Grains Belong on Your Plate
Last week, we explored the simple challenge of eating 30 different plant foods each week to support a healthy gut microbiome. The wonderful thing about this challenge is that it doesn’t have to be complicated—every fruit, vegetable, herb, spice, bean, nut, seed, and whole grain counts. This week, I’d like to shine a spotlight on one of my favorite food groups for gut health: whole grains. When I visit my local farmers market during the summer, I’m always inspired by the colorful produce that fills every stand. Fresh kale, sweet peppers, mushrooms, herbs, and crisp vegetables remind me that the […]READ MORE
April 23, 2024
Published by Life Extension
Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States. Roughly 18% of Americans have this condition and many go untreated. It’s actually estimated that about two thirds of those suffering forgo medical treatment. Many are concerned about the side effects associated with anxiety medications, and rightfully so. They’re not exactly risk-free. Luckily, there are a number of safe herbs that not only alleviate anxiety, but offer additional health benefits as well. Below, we’ll explore the anti-anxiety effects of holy basil, one of nature’s best stress-relieving herbs. Holy Basil Offers Multiple Health Benefits Holy basil has been used traditionally in Asia for thousands of years. […]
April 23, 2024
Published by FoodTrients
When you make a mistake on your computer, there’s often a very simple way to fix it: just select the “undo” option. It’s like magic – allowing you to reverse what you’ve done and proceed as if it never happened. If only there were as simple a solution to our health problems! Dean Ornish, M.D., has directed revolutionary research proving, for the first time, that lifestyle changes can often reverse—undo!—the progression of many of the most common and costly chronic diseases and even begin reversing aging at a cellular level. The Ornish diet was developed in 1977 by Dr. Ornish, […]
April 18, 2024
Published by Life Extension
For those special days and holidays when we come together to celebrate, why not make it even sweeter? Celebrate with chocolate — a timeless treat that brings joy to every gathering. And the best part? Studies show that indulging in chocolate — especially rich, dark chocolate — can actually be good for your health. So go ahead, savor the sweetness, and make every celebration a little more delicious. “With an increasing number of studies focusing on chocolate and cardiovascular health, chocolate’s popularity is on the rise and frequently discussed in the media. The reason…is that the cocoa bean, which is […]
April 9, 2024
Published by CeliAct
It’s certainly common to worry during pregnancy. Things like what vitamins to take, what to eat, how much to eat and what to pay attention to when getting blood work done are just some of the common worries that women have. These questions carry even more weight for those of us who have celiac or gluten-intolerance. A few months ago, I shared my personal journey regarding celiac, fertility, and successfully getting pregnant once starting a gluten-free diet. Because I was diagnosed with celiac just a couple of months before I became pregnant, I had lots of questions. Were there extra steps I […]
April 9, 2024
Published by Grace O
After a very challenging winter (at least here in Southern California where we actually had blizzards that left ten feet of snow in the local San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains), we are so ready for spring! In most of the country, you can get most any vegetable any time of the year, because we import many items from places like Mexico and Central America. But beginning in March and April, spring vegetables are ready for action and local produce becomes readily available at markets—farmers and super. Here are a variety of spring vegetables that are especially sweet and delicious […]
April 9, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Ever wonder if all those too-good-to-be-true-sounding claims about apple cider vinegar (ACV) are true? Let’s break down the research! ACV is created from ripe, high-sugar apples that have undergone a fermentation process to convert the sugar to alcohol and then to acetic acid. Many of the health benefits of ACV are linked to the “mother” — a combination of yeast, probiotics, and enzymes created during the fermentation process. The “mother” is the cloud-like glob in the bottom of the bottle of many ACV bottles on the market. ACV has long been considered a cure-all in some traditional medicine circles, but […]
April 9, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
You may have noticed nettles growing alongside your hiking trails and avoided them because of their notorious stinging bite. But next time you’re out, think about bringing some gloves to collect them – nettles are a nutrition powerhouse! Stinging nettles are one of nature’s many superfoods so read on to learn about the nutritional and healing benefits of this medicinal plant. Growing naturally in many areas of the world, there is good reason that nettles have been used medicinally in Africa, Asia, Europe and America for centuries. Chemical compounds have been identified in the roots, leaves and hairs of the […]
April 9, 2024
Published by FoodTrients
Finally! A practical guide to walk you through the process of planning for a longer life. Using her years of experience as an Elder Law and Estate Planning attorney, and the personal lessons she learned walking her own parents through this process, Laurie Menzies explains, in practical terms, the best way to plan for this stage of life. Her book, Embracing Elderhood: Planning for the Next Stage of Life, does not provide answers to the crisis of aging—instead, it offers options that are available both to the families with the foresight to plan, as well as to those who made […]
March 27, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and can be quite uncomfortable and even dangerous to your health. They occur when bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), enter your urinary tract and multiply in your bladder, causing an infection. The most common symptom of a UTI is a burning sensation when urinating, but other symptoms can include bloody urine, abdominal pain, fever, and the need to urinate often or urgently. Women are more likely to experience UTIs than men, with more than half of all women experiencing a UTI at some point in their lives. The role of diet in […]
March 27, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Probiotics are trending as a hot topic this year because these good bacteria are gaining more scientific evidence that they support human health. Linked to aiding gut health and supporting good bacteria in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, probiotic foods are growing in popularity. Read on to learn more about the role of probiotics in your health and how to include them in your diet today. Probiotics are live organisms used to increase good bacteria in the lower gut. Common probiotics include lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, and saccharomyces which are all strains that can be found in a variety of foods you […]
March 12, 2024
Published by FoodTrients
On a quest to achieve richer fulfillment in your life? While happiness may be relative, there are actions you can take every day to keep your mind positive and your body at its best. Here are 12 happiness activities to exercise daily, excerpted and adapted with permission from the book The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky. 1. Express gratitude Bolsters self-esteem; encourages moral behavior; diminishes feelings of anger and bitterness. Strategies: Keep a gratitude journal. Express gratitude directly to someone else, either in person or by writing a letter that you can send or keep. 2. Cultivate optimism Prompts […]
February 26, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Have you ever wondered how you can know if you have inflammation in your body or not? Inflammation is a natural process in the body that’s critical to healing from a wound or illness but if left unchecked and chronically high due to irritation from a poor diet, lack of sleep, a sedentary lifestyle, underlying chronic disease, or high levels of emotional stress, the body can experience long-term, damaging inflammation. To determine if you may have systemic inflammation, a C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test is a simple way to see if you might have high levels of this protein that […]
February 26, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Top 5 Medicinal Mushrooms for the Immune System Many mushrooms are known for their nutritional and medicinal purposes but did you know that they’re also powerful supporters of a strong immune system? Multiple studies have shown that mushrooms possess benefits such as antioxidant, liver protective, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and even blood sugar lowering properties, but emerging research highlights the unique ways they help protect the body from viruses and bacteria. Studies speculate that mushrooms may be the answer to many health challenges people face — including supporting healing — and can be developed into functional food or medicine for preventing […]