Egg-tastic!

The egg section in the supermarket is stocked with many varieties of eggs.

Which are the best eggs to eat?

Egg Varieties:

Brown eggs: Eggshell color can vary but it has nothing to do with the quality, flavor, nutritive value, cooking characteristics or shell thickness of an egg. The eggshell color only depends upon the breed of the hen.

Omega 3 enhanced eggs are from hens fed a diet flax seed or fish oils. Omega 3 enhanced eggs contain more omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin E than the regular eggs. An independent test found that omega-3 enhanced eggs contain approximately 7 times more omega 3 fatty acids than regular white eggs.

Organic eggs are produced by hens fed certified organic grains without most conventional pesticides and fertilizers. Growth hormones and antiobiotics are also prohibited. Organic eggs have the same nutritional content, fat or cholesterol as regular eggs.

Did You Know?
Egg yolk color is determined by the type of feed a hen eats. A wheat-based diet will produce a pale yellow yolk, while a corn- or alfalfa-based diet yields a darker yellow yolk. The color of the yolk does not indicate egg quality, freshness, or nutritional value.

EXERCISE: What to eat Before & After

When it comes to exercise and eating, people tend to want to exercise as little as possible to get the maximum result and eat as much as possible without gaining any weight.

This may not be exactly the right approach.

But by getting your timing and food selection in sync with your exercise regiment, you can maximize your energy throughout the day and get the best results possible.

Your exercise schedule determines what & when you should eat:

Morning workout

Morning exercisers often make the mistake of thinking they can burn more calories by jumping out of bed and into the gym without stopping for breakfast.
The problem with this thought process is that a good night’s sleep naturally leaves your blood sugar low and your liver glycogen almost depleted. Which translates into a weaker workout. Since you crave a fit body, you should never sacrifice your morning meal.
Fuel up in the a.m. before you hit the gym with just enough to reap the benefits: Consume a small portion of carbohydrate before hitting the gym and then eat a solid (and bigger) breakfast afterwards.

Before Workout:

• Medium Banana
  
• Fresh Juice
  
• 3-4 Whole-grain crackers (Kaak)
  

After Workout:

• Eggs + 2 slices Whole-grain Bread or 1 Arabic whole-grain Pita Bread


• 1 Bowl High Fiber Cereal + Low-fat milk + 1 fruit

Evening workout

Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack around 4 p.m. prepares you for a hard, postwork workout. Most people don't eat a snack before working out at 6 or 7 pm. But by the time you are done working out and get dinner ready, you will be famished for food, so that afternoon snack is important to that you don't ruin the whole purpose of going to the gym.

Your workout will benefit, as will your mood. Remember to choose something small that can be easily digested.


These foods can interfere with your workout:

Spicy foods
Beans
High-fat foods
High-protein foods
Even if a food is healthy, it does not mean it makes a good preworkout snack. Spicy and gaseous foods just don’t work. High-fat and high-protein foods won’t help your workout and can hurt it because they take longer to digest.

Zzzzz...Good Night!

Can't sleep?
You can easily fight insomnia if you just avoid certain foods and beverages.

Don't eat/drink before bed:

Caffeine: It should be obvious, but you should avoid caffeinated drinks and foods — coffee, tea, many soft drinks and chocolate — several hours before bed. Caffeine is a natural chemical that activates the central nervous system, which means that it revs up nerves and thought processes. For people who are sensitive to caffeine, that excitation is not pleasant, making them feel jittery and slightly ill. If you have a caffeinated drink too close to bedtime, chances are it will keep you awake.
Of course, at what time you should stop consuming caffeine rich foods & drinks ultimatly depends on you and your body.
Sensitive people should stop drinking caffeine at least eight hours before bedtime (that means by 3 p.m. if you hit the sack at 11 p.m.).

Alcohol: Although many people use alcohol to help them relax before bed, the effects can wear off so they wake up in the middle of the night. Over time, alcohol-induced sleep becomes less restful, so sleepiness will become a constant fact of life. So make sure you don't use alcohol like a sleeping pill.

Large meals: Eating a huge dinner, or even a large before-bedtime snack, may make you feel drowsy, but the sleep won’t necessarily take. When you lie down and try to sleep, your digestion will slow down, make you feel uncomfortable, and possibly keep you awake.

Liquids: If you wake up in the middle of the night to visit the bathroom, just stop drinking water or fluids within 90 minutes of bedtime. It takes that long for your body to process liquid of any type. If you must drink to take medication, take a small sip. If the medication requires a full glass of water, take it earlier in the evening if possible.

Positive mood food

Feeling down and unhappy?

But before you reach for your favorite cookie or that dessert you've been dreaming about, try these foods that should make you feel better because they can instantly boost your mood.

Fish like salmon and tuna contain omega-3s, which are proven mood elevators. In fact, a study showed that fish eaters are 31% less likely to suffer from depression.

Complex carbs such as beans, brown rice and organic whole grain bread can also increase serotonin levels. For the best results, they should be eaten with proteins containing tryptophan, like turkey.

Chocolate can help, but not just any kind. A little dark chocolate can help by boosting the brain's levels of serotonin (which promotes relaxation) and helping stimulate the production of endorphins, the same feel-good chemicals released during exercise.

Walnuts also raise serotonin levels, making them an ideal snack. Sprinkle them over yogurt or eat them with fruits; researchers discovered that walnuts can improve people's moods when eaten for 3-weeks.

Chinese Food: Good or Bad?

Chinese food can be healthy if you know which dishes to choose.
The following ingredients can be found in many dishes and are considered really good for you:

Citrus fruits: Are good sources of Vitamin C and flavonoids; they also have a long history in the Chinese culture. Fruits like oranges, pommelos, and tangerines are traditional symbols of happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. You'll find them tossed with chicken or beef just to add tanginess to dishes. You can use fresh citrus juice instead of salad dressing (lemon juice or olive oil) in your salad to cut down on calories.

Brown Rice: Obviously, rice is a staple food in the Chinese culture, but not all rice is the same. The best choice is whole-grain brown rice because of the health benefits of numerous nutrients and fiber.

Tofu: The cholesterol-lowering effect of soy and its role in preventing heart disease was widely recognized in the mid 1990s when the results of an analysis of 38 clinical studies were published. The results demonstrated that a diet with significant soy protein reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the "Bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides. Soy is found in vegetarian dishes to replace meat.

Bok choy: A Chinese-style cabbage packed with Vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and phytonutrients. Plus, it's very filling, high in fiber, and low in calories.

LOVE FOODS

I decided to make a small list of common foods believed to have certain stimulating effects, even though in most cases, their effects have yet to be proven. Nevertheless, here are some foods that are considered aphrodisiacs and why, or as the case may be, why not.

1- OYSTERS:
Have long been thought to have aphrodisiac properties, but very few studies have been conducted on the matter.
One thing that brings credibility to the oyster myth is the fact that these slippery creatures are full of zinc. Zinc controls progesterone levels, which have a positive effect on your libido. Zinc deficiency can cause impotence in men, so any food rich in zinc is considered an aphrodisiac in that respect, and oysters happen to be loaded with the mineral.

2- COFFEE PLEASE!
Is considered an aphrodisiac in many traditions but there is very little proof that it actually has any effect on the libido. Coffee -- like any caffeine-rich food -- stimulates the body, which is why it's usually mistaken for sexual arousal. SORRY...

3- CHOCOLATE
A recent poll revealed that most women prefer eating chocolate to absolutley anything else- including shopping. Chocolate is often associated with romance and passion, but there is no evidence that it has an impact on your love hormones.

HOW TO EAT

You’ve probably heard a lot of messages about what you should or shouldn’t be putting in your belly. But there’s more to eating well than counting calories, vitamins, and what you eat. How you eat has an enormous impact on your body’s well-being.

Here are some tips to help you discover (or rediscover) the joyful art of eating—because enjoyment is paramount to eating well:

• Eat Slowly: Life is often rushed. But eating slowing encourages you to take a time-out. Pause a moment before you eat to give thanks for the gift of food that lies before you. An attitude of gratitude helps you to enjoy each bite more. Plus, the more you chew, the more your teeth and salivary enzymes break down your food so your stomach doesn’t have to.
• Engage All Your Senses: You don’t have to be a chef to be an artist in the kitchen. The food you prepare can engage all your sense—from the aroma across the room to the vibrant colors and playful textures. All these characteristics create a rich, satisfying experience no matter what you’re eating. If you’re the one in the kitchen, toss in some edible flowers, garnish with your favorite herbs, and try using plates in colors that complement your creation.
• Dine With Others: Sharing a meal or breaking bread is a timeless custom across all cultures. It’s a way to celebrate your food. Eating with others might also encourage you to relax and enjoy the full experience around you, which will also help you eat more slowly.
• Eat Without Distraction: Turn off the tube. Step away from your desk. Give eating your undivided attention. Savor every bite. These strategies will help you tune in to your body’s sensations so you know when you’re full. There’s no reason to keep eating if your body says enough. In fact, yogis will tell you to stop eating even before you are full because a full belly makes you sluggish.
• Eat Seasonally: In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose track of nature’s seasonal ebb and flow. Eating the freshest fruits, vegetables, and fish of the season ensures that you’ll have the widest selection to choose from and increases your connection to mother earth and the natural rhythms beneath the sun, moon, and stars.

WEIRD CURES

A hammer as a headache cure?
Cigar smoke to relieve back ache?

Weird and sometimes crazy home remedies for pain.

Click to read this article by ABC News.

VINEGAR'S HEALTH BENEFITS

Vinegar, which is created from the fermentation of ethanol, is an inexpensive alternative to what might be in your medicine cabinet.

But how can vinegar be good for your health?

• Apply vinegar to jellyfish stings to ease the pain.


• If you forget yourself in the sun and endulge too much while on the beach, vinegar can be applied to a sunburn to ease the effects.


• Equal parts vinegar and alcohol dropped in the ear canal can ward off EAR infection.


• A daily drink of one tablespoon of vinegar and one of honey mixed with water will help to ward off a cold.


• Vinegar, when swabbed on a cervix will turn cancerous cells white. I don't know that this will ever come in handy ... but hey, it's good conversation starter when you want to impress somebody with your skills and talent!

Pancake Day

So February 5th is PANCAKE DAY; it took me some time to find a healthy & tasty pancake recipe and I finally stumbled upon this amazing video on Youtube.com.

I hope you like it.



P.S: Try it and let us know what you think.

CANCER CAUSING FOODS

Drinking coffee, using mobile phones or having breast implants is unlikely to cause cancer, according to a new Australian study devised to debunk popular myths.

The study also reaffirmed that smoking, alcohol and exposure to sunlight ar leading risk factors, but about coffee, mobile phones, deodorants, breast implants and water with added fluoride are safe.

Individuals that are considered extremely risky:

• Active smokers and ex-smokers, although the risk is reduced for people who quit smoking.
• Drinking alcohol is also a high risk factor, particularly for people who also smoke. But no specific type of alcoholic drink was most strongly to blame.

FLAXSEEDS: Where to buy & how to use

One of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseeds provide both soluble fiber (linked to reduced risk of heart disease) and insoluble fiber (which provides valuable roughage).

They must be ground for your body to absorb the benefits. Whole flaxseeds have a longer shelf life so they can stay in your kitchen for a long time. Grind an appropriate portion to last not more than 3 days (grind them in a clean coffee grinder or dry blender).

Once ground, flaxseeds are highly perishable, so store them in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator or freezer. You can purchase whole seeds and ground flaxmeal in natural-foods shops, mills or large supermarkets.

Flaxseed oil, pressed from flaxseeds, is a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids. It is highly perishable, so store in the refrigerator and use as soon as possible. Flaxseed oil doesn't taste very good, so it's always preferablt to use the seed itself.