5 FOODS TO EAT FOR HEART HEALTH

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5 FOODS TO EAT FOR HEART HEALTH

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women. There are 720,000 deaths every year as a result of heart attacks. This month, we need to educate and push people to think about lifestyle changes and prevention when it comes to heart disease. There are many small changes you can make today to help your heart. I have a great mnemonic for you to help remember and please pass this along to your children. Try these 5 foods for keeping your ticker in tip top shape.

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Say Hello to the Taste of Pure Fat

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Say Hello to the Taste of Pure Fat

A new taste has been added to the human palate and it's called pure fat. Food is normally classified as sweet, salty, bitter, umami, sour. Now a new study published in the journal, Chemical Senses argues that we’re missing another basic taste: FATTY. The medical term: oleogustus which means unique taste of fat which stems from the Latin translation of oily or fatty taste is oleogustu.

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Slow Metabolism? Here's how to fix it

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Slow Metabolism? Here's how to fix it

Our metabolism does slow with aging. It's difficult to compare the rate of your metabolism from puberty to adulthood. As we age. we tend to gain body fat and lose muscle mass. Research that suggests that your mitochondria (the powerhouses of your cells) doesn’t work as well as you get older.  Did you know over time if we mistreat it with yo-yo diets or rapid weight loss, it may become damaged. Luckily, with the right lifestyle changes, you can repair it.

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Stop Mindlessly Eating

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Stop Mindlessly Eating

Mindless eating is something we're all guilty of but did you know it's one of the biggest proponents of weight gain? It usually starts when we're overwhelmed, feeling stressed, starving or tired. But consistently having this as a regular eating habit is a dangerous one. Here are 

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The Surprising Connection Between Diet and Memory

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The Surprising Connection Between Diet and Memory

Recently, we evaluated a study that showed eliminating synthetic trans fats from ones diet may help improve memory. Researchers are still unclear whether or not its trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans fats that interfere with memory by directly affecting the nervous system. They're also looking into whether or not the correlation stems from the cardiovascular damage which harms the brain as well. 

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Artificial Sweeteners Really Better Than Sugar?

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Artificial Sweeteners Really Better Than Sugar?

Despite intense scrutiny of artificial sweeteners for years, the product continues to be popular with dieters, diabetics and many just looking for a sweet fix. Even in the face of declining soda sales, the market share of diet soda continues to expand, with the second most popular soda being a diet variety. At the same time, the global market for non-sugar sweeteners has had impressive sales in recent years. 

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Bone Broth Cocktails Are Here

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Bone Broth Cocktails Are Here

Bone broth cocktails? Yes indeed, you heard that right. At first thought, adding bone broth to alcohol doesn't seem like the best combination. Also called "healing soup" many experts believe it fosters gut health and boost immunity. Most people concoct these recipes for the health benefits rather than the taste. There are many an ingredient (be it some exotic) that we might add to a cocktail but would you ever think to add bone broth? Wellness experts want you to start. Here's why.

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Do healthy grocery stores lead to weight gain?

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Do healthy grocery stores lead to weight gain?

Beware of the health halo that falls over healthy grocery store chains like Whole Foods. There's a distinct difference between healthy and gourmet. Gourmet can make it seem healthy to buy a pint of organic, fair trade ice cream and eat the entire container in one sitting. But this is never going to be a good idea for your weight, regardless of non-GMO, coconut milk or the certified organic. 

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Mindful eating – Making every bite count

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Mindful eating – Making every bite count

Have you ever been told to “slow down” when eating?  Or maybe you finish a meal feeling completely stuffed but don’t really remember how much you ate?  If so, maybe you’re leaving out a very important part of what should be done at every meal and snack – mindful eating.  Mindful eating is focusing completely on what you are eating without distractions which allows you to pay attention to the act of eating from biting into the food, the taste, the mouthfeel, chewing and swallowing.  Mindful eating is also paying attention to the feeling of fullness that builds throughout the meal and allowing yourself to stop eating once you begin to feel full.   

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Your best ally in helping you reduce sugar

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Your best ally in helping you reduce sugar

Your best friend and ally in helping you reduce sugar intake has always been at your fingertips - the Nutrition Facts panel. Hopefully soon, with one small change, this trusted source of nutrition information will help you even further in slashing sugar to a more reasonable amount.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing that the nutrition facts label on packaged foods include the percent daily value (DV) for added sugars.  Maybe it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it is and it’s been long overdue.

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9 Energy-Boosting Foods For Every Situation

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9 Energy-Boosting Foods For Every Situation

en·er·gy (noun):  the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity. 

We rely on energy to get through the day, the week, the year.  We know that losing out on sleep can leave you drained, but sleep deprivation is only one of a long list of possible reasons behind feeling exhausted. So, what can you do to boost your energy levels throughout the day? The best way to keep energy up is to eat well. The general rule of thumb for high energy foods are those high in fiber but low in glycemic index. 

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Why water is our most essential nutrient

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Why water is our most essential nutrient

What would we do without water – nothing!  Out of the six classes of nutrients (water, carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals) water is undoubtedly the most important nutrient of all.  Our bodies cannot store water or make it on its own and each day it must be replaced as we constantly lose water through our urine, feces, sweat, skin and lungs.  Most of us could go for weeks without eating food but would last only a few days without water. 

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Think “full steam ahead” when cooking vegetables

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Think “full steam ahead” when cooking vegetables

One of the easiest and healthiest ways to cook vegetables is to steam them.  If you have an electric steamer or bamboo steamer, great but they’re not necessary.  I just use a regular saucepan with a wire basket that fits inside and a lid that fits to place on top and you’re good. 

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New Zealand Researchers Determine Mediterranean Diet Decreased DNA Damage in Men With Prostate Cancer

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New Zealand Researchers Determine Mediterranean Diet Decreased DNA Damage in Men With Prostate Cancer

Researchers found that adherence to a modified Mediterranean diet decreased DNA damage than can lead to the development of tumors. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. U.S: 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. American Cancer Society estimates a staggering 220,800 new cases and 27,540 deaths from prostate cancer in 2015.

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Coconut Water – The truth in a nutshell

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Coconut Water – The truth in a nutshell

Whether you’ve tried coconut water or not, you have to admit, this beverage has been riding a tremendous tidal wave of sales.   The growth of coconut water consumers has been no less than outstanding as this drink, referred to by Hawaiians as “dew from the heavens,” has been soaking up a sales growth of 30% annually.  It shows no signs of slowing down and its popularity continues to crack wide open.

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Protein Is Our Best Friend

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Protein Is Our Best Friend

Protein burns fat, builds muscle, keeps your fuller longer and continues to be one of the most satisfying food groups you can eat. Oh and did we mention there are some seriously delicious options? And now, new research shows losing weight highly depends on your protein intake and not just from the typical chicken but more veggies. The study published in Nutrition Journal found that plant protein intakes may play a role in preventing obesity. A little known fact is that protein is found in almost all plants. 

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Natural Ways to Add Sweetness

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Natural Ways to Add Sweetness

The average American consumes approximately one third of a pound of sugar each day, translating into nearly 130 pounds of sugar per person every year. As a nation sugar usage exceeds 9 million tons a year. As for sugar, it is nearly impossible and unnecessary to remove completely from ones diet. Sugar is naturally found in most foods, however avoidance of refined process sugar is key to a healthier lifestyle. Try to decrease the number of steps between the original food source and your table. For instance instead of eating candy when craving something sweet, choose a piece of fruit. Fruit is a natural source of sugar paired with fiber, which will keep you full longer and improve digestion.  

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8 Diet Mistakes Everyone Makes

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8 Diet Mistakes Everyone Makes

There are so many diets out there and weight loss tips. Many of them can work if integrated into a healthy lifestyle plan. We've talked about all types of weight loss strategies and trends recently on the blog. From intermittent fasting and weight loss myths to juicing and detoxing for losing weight, there are sure no shortages of tips. However many people make a lot of mistakes when they choose to go on a diet or lose weight. Here are the top 9 mistakes to avoid and a few tips to apply to your journey. 

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Drinks To Shrink Belly Fat

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Drinks To Shrink Belly Fat

Experts within the holistic and integrative medicine profession have spoken about drinks crafted from traditional herbs in the Ayurvedic principle helps people shrink belly fat. Carrying excess fat around the mid-section also known as central abdominal obesity means a type of fat called visceral fat, is more prevalent than it should be.  Visceral fat gets stored within the abdomen and is what creates a bulge in the belly area.  Because it is a more metabolically active fat, it increases inflammation and insulin resistance of tissues that increase the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and possibly certain cancers.

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25 Delicious Foods Better Than Any Junk Food

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25 Delicious Foods Better Than Any Junk Food

Junk food and especially processed foods are just never going to be a good idea. They say everything in moderation, however with junk food, it's important to stay as far away as possible. The key is learning about healthier and more delicious options that still satisfy a sweet or savory craving. 

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