Health & Wellness
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The summer season offers up a beautiful bounty of some of the most flavorful and nutritious fruits and vegetables. With such a plethora of fresh produce to choose from, salads are a quick, simple and satisfying way to experience a wide variety of summer’s finest foods. Whether you love them tossed, chopped or layered, for an energizing lunch, complementary side dish, or light supper, deciding what delicious ingredients to use for your salad is part of the fun! When you get creative, make healthy choices, and combine a variety of colors, tastes and textures, you can enjoy spectacular salads all summer long.
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Spring can be a difficult time of year for those who suffer from seasonal
allergy symptoms. When the body overreacts to things in the air that don't
cause problems everyone, such as dust or pollen, it is an allergy. This
overreaction can cause symptoms such as watery eyes, a runny nose,
sneezing, itching and pressure in the nose and cheeks.
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Picnic season is upon us! The next time you’re packing up your basket for a meal that celebrates not only the beautiful weather, but the freshest foods of the season, consider including nutritious classics along with some healthier alternatives to traditional picnic favorites. Your outdoor feast will be full of flavor, and you’ll feel healthy, energized, refreshed, and ready to enjoy your outdoor environment. Read Article Tips
Tips For Keeping Hay Fever At Bay
The season of spring is a special time of year. Houses are cleaned from top to bottom, barren trees and shrubs bloom with leaves and flowering buds, and dry lawns once again become carpets of tender green grass. We welcome the season with spring-cleaning, and celebrate it by spending time outdoors, enjoying the beauty of Mother Nature as the earth awakens from its winter slumber.
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Are You Up to the Challenge?
When it comes to sustainable eating and buying and eating local foods, community
advantages are numerous and prosperous. Buying and eating locally grown
foods help build more self-sufficient food economies where the sustainable
food production, processing, distribution and consumption are taken into
consideration to promote the economic, environmental and social health of
a specific place. It is a part of the sustainability movement on a broader
scale.
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In-Season Summer Fruits and Vegetables
One of the greatest joys of summertime is the act of barbecuing, and most
everyone has a favorite grilled food that they look forward to indulging
in. When it comes to sustainable eating and grilling, options for the grill
are endless. With a cornucopia of in-season fruits and vegetables, you can
cook a table-full of vegetarian entrees, side dishes and desserts right
on the grill. And, eating seasonal produce helps cut down on carbon emissions
that are produced by oil-drinking boilers that are used to heat greenhouses
and by power plants used to keep things frozen.
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Today, more than ever, the word sustainability is heard on a regular basis. Sustainability, simply put, means to keep going, to supply with food, drink and other necessities in life.
Read Article Special Lifestyles & Diets
For people who are allergic to dairy products, or who are lactose intolerant, a dairy-free diet is crucial to one's well being.
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Gluten, made from the proteins gliadin, glutenin and others, exists with starch in the endosperms of some grass-related grains - notably barley, rye and wheat. Gliadin and glutenin comprise about 80% of the protein contained in wheat seed.
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Low-fat diets are followed for many reasons, such as weight loss and/or weight maintenance and for the prevention of some diseases like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.
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For people with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease and other medical problems, a low-salt diet may be beneficial and is often prescribed by physicians.
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Sugar, once considered a luxury that only the wealthy could afford, comes in many forms and is used in many ways. For many people, a low sugar or sugar free diet is either necessary or desired.
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Vegetarians build their diets around plant foods, but did you know that there are several types of vegetarian classifications? Lacto-ovo vegetarians consume dairy foods and eggs, but no fish, meat or poultry; Pesco-vegetarians include fish into their diets; and Vegans are strict vegetarians who do not eat any animal products, including dairy products, eggs and honey.
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Celebrate The Season With These Festive & Flavorful Favorites
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Convenient Ways To Curb Your Hunger!
Days are longer and the kids are out of school for the summer, which means
it’s more important than ever to have plenty of fun, healthy and easy
snacks on hand. Staying hydrated and energized during the summertime is
crucial. Fuel-up this summer with plenty of water and some quick snacks
that are good for your schedule—and good for your body. These nutrient-rich
munchies are easy to prepare and enjoy, which means more time for you to
soak up the summer!
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The Stars of Summertime Citrus
Although they're available in markets throughout the year, lemons and limes
reach their peak of perfection during the summer season, lending their lip-puckering
flavor and bright, acidic zing to everything from refreshing lemonade to
grilled seafood.
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When popping a sweet, juicy strawberry into your mouth, have you ever wondered about the brilliant red color of it? What makes blueberries so blue, or red raspberries so red? The answer lies in antioxidant flavonoid compounds that lend color to fruits, plants and vegetables: plant pigments. One group of these coloring compounds is known as anthocyanins, and they are found in flowers, fruits, leaves, roots and stems.
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Celebrate Mother’s Day With Fresh & Healthy Morning Favorites
Treating Mom to a special meal in honor of Mother’s Day is a favorite
holiday tradition that lets her know how much she is loved and appreciated.
This Mother’s Day, honor her with a relaxing breakfast or brunch that
is not just delicious, but healthy too. By highlighting the freshest
foods of the spring season, and showcasing delicious, nutrient-rich
favorites, you can lighten up the morning, and get her special day
off to a fantastic start.
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Enjoy The Many Health Benefits of Cranberries
Spanning the months of October to December, cranberry season is the ideal time to enjoy the extraordinary health benefits, vibrant color and tart tang of this tasty fruit.
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Tasty Tips for a Happy, Healthy 2009
During the cold days of winter, it’s easy to head towards hearty, heavy comfort foods when hunger strikes, often at the exclusion of fresh produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables, however, are a perfect choice when you’re craving something satisfying, as they’re full of flavor and can help keep you full in between meals. Your morning meal is the ideal time to enjoy your first fruits and veggies of the day. Berries are fantastic sprinkled over hot cereal, yogurt or granola, while vitamin-C rich citrus fruits are great for fresh squeezed juices. Diced tomato, mushrooms, bell pepper, onion and avocado are also outstanding in omelets! With so many delicious varieties to choose from, it’s easy to enjoy at least five servings of fresh fruits and veggies a day. Snack on an apple, banana or orange, add fresh vegetables to a hearty soup, stew or casserole, or enjoy a salad alongside every meal.
Go for the Grains
High in fiber and a great source of antioxidants, whole grains taste great, and can help keep you healthy. By replacing refined-grain products with wholegrain products, you can easily increase your daily wholegrain intake. Studies show that unrefined whole grains may help lower blood cholesterol and protect against heart disease, obesity and more. And getting plenty of whole grains is incredibly simple to do. Savor wholegrain bread in sandwiches, for your morning slice of toast, or as a dinnertime side dish, and get ready to enjoy the many delicious benefits that whole grains can bring.
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How The Foods You Eat Can Influence The Way You Think
Along with plenty of water, these tasty foods are important for a well-balanced diet. Morning, noon or night, they’re some of the best for your body—and your brain!
Breakfast
Eggs
Fresh blueberries
Whole grain bread with peanut butter
Why?
Choline, an essential nutrient found in eggs and peanut butter, is believed to help increase the rate signals are both sent, and received by, the brain; it can help make you more alert, increase levels of concentration, and enhance memory.
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Convenient To Cook & Great For A Healthy Diet!
During the winter, incorporating the proper amount of fruits and vegetables into your daily diet can be a bit of a challenge. Full of flavor, vitamins, minerals and nutrients, produce is an essential element of any well-balanced lifestyle. And with frozen vegetables, it’s easy to enjoy the fresh flavor and many health benefits of veggies, all year long. Unlike fresh fruits and vegetables, which lose some of their nutrients during the time it takes for them to be transported from farm to grocery store to your kitchen table, frozen vegetables are typically frozen within a few hours of being picked.
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With Five Thanksgiving Favorites
Cranberries are fantastic prepared with other fruits for a fresh, flavorful relish; steamed green beans can be served as a healthy alternative to traditional green bean casserole; and potatoes are great savored with olive oil and a garnish of freshly chopped chives. Baked sweet potatoes add color and flavor to the meal—and taste so delicious, you won’t even miss the brown sugar or marshmallows so often included in recipes for candied yams. And turkey, the satisfying centerpiece of the feast, is an excellent source of lean protein! With just a few subtle adjustments to these naturally nutritious foods, it’s easy to have a Thanksgiving table laden with healthier alternatives full of flavor, and tradition.
Cranberries
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Ways To Stay Refreshed, Energized & Hydrated
There’s no denying it: consuming sufficient amounts of water every day is an absolute imperative for good health. As the principal chemical component of the human body, water is needed to keep every system of the body functioning properly.
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The Many Benefits Of This Favorite Fall Fruit
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Healthy Fall Favorites
During the warmest months of the year, when juicy berries in every shade of red and blue are bursting with sweet ripeness, and cool, crisp greens are sensationally light and satisfying, summer salads are enjoyed morning, noon and night. Whether it’s a colorful fruit salad served alongside breakfast, lettuces tossed in flavorful vinaigrette for lunch, or a beautiful salad savored as a starter, side dish or main course, salads are a favorite of the season.
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As the seasons come and go one thing is for certain when it comes to eating
fresh, seasonal produce—the taste just can’t be beat. And, when
produce is at its freshest, the nutrient content is higher. If you’ve
never made a fresh tomato gazpacho in August when tomatoes are at their
peak, or have used sweet Vidalia onions to top your grilled burger in the
month of June, when Vidalia’s take center stage, you’re missing
out on some serious flavor. Long, long ago, before travel allowed for the
shipment of out-of-season produce across the country, eating seasonal produce
was a necessity. Those necessities created some favorite traditional dishes
such as corn on the cob in late summer, pumpkin pie in the fall, potato
soup in the winter, and radishes on salad during springtime. Eating seasonal
is not only great for the freshest tasting produce possible; it also carries
on beloved food traditions.
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Chances are, you hear and see the word ‘antioxidant’ on a regular basis. On television and radio commercials, and on food packages found throughout grocery stores, the word ‘antioxidant’ has become an important word when it comes to our health. Have you ever found yourself asking, “What are antioxidants?”
Antioxidants are nutrients found in foods that are capable of preventing or slowing oxidative damage to our bodies. Some antioxidants include vitamins A, C and E, and phytochemicals such as flavonoids, lycopene and lutein. When the cells in our bodies use oxygen, they naturally produce by-products called ‘free radicals’ which can cause damage. Antioxidants scavenge for free radicals, preventing damage and repairing damage done by them. Some health problems associated with oxidative damage include cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and macular degeneration.
Foods that are rich in antioxidants include:
• Blueberries – Despite their small size, blueberries pack a big nutritional punch with antioxidants that may help your body fight everything from the effects of aging, to vision problems, to cancer. Blueberries are a good source of dietary fiber and a very good source of vitamins C, K and manganese.
• Carrots – Carrots’ antioxidant compounds help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also promote good vision, especially night vision. Carrots are a good source of vitamins C and E, and are a very good source of dietary fiber and vitamins A, K and manganese.
• Cherries – Not only does this ruby-red fruit taste great, ongoing research shows that tart cherries may relieve the pain of arthritis and gout. That’s because tart cherries are bursting with antioxidants. Cherries are a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C.
• Cranberries – Scientists found that cranberry extract contains the antioxidants anthocyanin, proanthocyanidins and phenolic compounds that are known for their anti-cancer properties. Fresh cranberries are very high in vitamin C.
• Green Tea – Green tea is among one of the world’s healthiest beverages. In recent years, it has been the focus of much scientific study. The health benefits of drinking green tea may include reduced risk for coronary heart disease thanks to green tea’s high concentration of antioxidants. Green tea offers the powerful antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Read Article Healthy Eating
From A-Z
Brussels sprouts pack plenty of nutritional value into a small package. Reaching the peak of their growing season from fall through early spring, they’re a tasty and healthy addition to many fall meals. Closely related to cabbages, they impart a lovely, delicate, nutty flavor when properly cooked, and contain antioxidants and other cancer-fighting properties typical of cruciferous vegetables. Other beneficial vitamins and nutrients of Brussels sprouts include vitamin K, folic acid and potassium.
Dates
Prized for their incredibly sweet flavor, dates are often found in wintertime appetizers and desserts. Loved by many for their distinctive taste and texture, dates are also a source of iron and protein! Found in every human cell, iron is a crucial key to good health, helping the body fight illness and produce energy. Protein also helps keep the immune system strong, and provides the body with necessary amino acids.
Grapefruit
Winter is the best time of year to enjoy the flavor and health benefits of grapefruits. With their sweet, terrifically tart taste, grapefruits are a nutritious and delicious way to wake up your taste buds in the morning, and give your body a variety of beneficial vitamins and nutrients. Like other winter citrus favorites, grapefruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system. Plus, red and pink grapefruits get their color from the carotenoid phytonutrient lypocene, which is thought to help prevent cell damage.
Kale
This leafy cruciferous vegetable is at its finest during the coldest month of the year. Known for its beneficial phytonutrients, thought to reduce the occurrence of certain kinds of cancers, kale also contains carotenoids that contribute to cardiovascular health, as well as vitamins and minerals including vitamins A and C, copper, dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin B6, folic acid and potassium. Kale has a delicious, sweet, earthy flavor, and is a fantastic way to make winter meals healthier.
Leeks
Related to scallions, shallots, garlic and onions, leeks are at their peak from fall to early spring. Perfectly complementing an array of ingredients, they add a delicate flavor that is sweeter and milder than that of an onion to a variety of hearty recipes. Leeks add some nutritional benefits, too. They contain a combination of nutrients that can help the body properly metabolize foods. Leeks are also thought to help prevent the occurrence of certain types of cancer!
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From A-Z
The coldest months of the year bring forth a variety of healthy and delicious winter fruits and vegetables. For side dishes, snacking, or as ingredients in your favorite cool weather classics, these produce picks, at their peak of freshness and flavor, are perfect for healthy eating.
Oranges
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The What, Why, and Where?
One of the most important, and plentiful, minerals in the body is calcium. Calcium allows proper functioning of the heart; builds and repairs bones and teeth; clots blood; helps nerves function; and makes muscles contract. The majority of calcium found in the body is stored in the bones, with the rest in the blood. If the calcium levels in blood drops, then the body will begin to take calcium from the bones. The body needs calcium to function properly, while bones need calcium to be strong and firm.
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Why You Should Not Overlook These Nutritious Veggies
If you are passionate about buying vegetables in season, then fall and winter root vegetables should be on your shopping list for comforting, autumnal cooking. Root vegetables are exactly what their name implies, the [edible] roots of vegetables. Beets, celery root, parsnip, rutabaga, and turnips – each one is a root vegetable, and just a sampling of root vegetables available for consumption.
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How The Foods You Eat Can Help You Feel Your Best
In colder weather, keeping your skin soft and smooth can be a bit of a challenge. It’s also believed that a lack of vitamin B can increase your risk of getting certain skin disorders, including cracked lips and dry skin. The vitamin B complex is made up of several vitamins that work together to help keep your skin healthy. Seafood with a high content of omega-3 fatty acids can also keep your skin well moisturized and soft.
Look for vitamin B in foods such as bananas, black beans, chicken breast, fat free dairy products, mushrooms, peanuts and sunflower seeds. When it comes to seafood, certain kinds of fish, like halibut and salmon, are excellent sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Dehydration
Staying hydrated is absolutely essential; because it is readily available and free of calories, water is your healthiest and best bet, yet other options including tea, juices and sports drinks are also good choices.
In addition to drinking sufficient amounts of hydrating beverages, eating foods such as sauces, soups, salads, and fruits and veggies that are full of moisture can really help keep you refreshed, healthy and energized; starchy vegetables, breads and other dense, dry foods are a few to avoid.
So drink up! Keep things fun and get creative by adding fresh sprigs of mint or slices of vitamin-C rich winter citrus fruits, including lemon, orange or lime to ice water, or mix it up a little bit with sparkling waters, flavored waters, or mineral waters. Enjoying a glass of chilled water in between meals, and during every meal, is a great way to keep track of your daily water intake.
Stress
Has a hectic holiday season or jam-packed schedule left you feeling stressed? Stress is caused by a number of factors, and can have a wide variety of physical and emotional effects, ranging from high blood pressure and headaches, to increased anxiety, disorganization or moodiness. What brings stress on, and how the body and brain react to it, is different for everyone. It is important to identify what is causing the stress, and to use the healthy approaches that work best for you, to both prevent and reduce it.
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The What, Why and Where?
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The What, Why, and Where?
Sweet Potato: Because sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E, and are a good source of iron, you should not save these naturally sweet vegetables just for Thanksgiving. When cooking sweet potatoes, leave the skin on—this retains the vitamins, providing you with even more nutrients. Eating just one cup of sweet potatoes offers 50% of the RDA for vitamin C and more than six times the recommended amount of beta carotene. Read Article Health & Wellness
The What, Why, and Where?
Red Bell Pepper: With its crunchy, mild, sweet flavor, the red bell pepper offers an abundance of nutrients, and it is one of few foods that contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene. Red bell peppers are excellent for stuffing and baking, and are a favorite crudité for party platters. Red bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, and a very good source of dietary fiber, folate, and manganese. Read Article Health & Wellness
Super-Veggies Abundant in Antioxidants
If want to incorporate more nutrition into your diet, then the next time you’re grocery shopping, head straight to the produce section and pick up these four vegetables that pack a nutritional punch: broccoli, carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes.
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Discover The Health Benefits Of The Season’s Freshest Picks
It is easy to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet when you
choose ripe, seasonal produce. When it comes to flavor, freshness and nutritional
value, locally grown, peak of the season produce is unsurpassed. The spring
season produces a plethora of fruits and vegetables that are popular for
their delicious flavors, versatility and exceptional health benefits. Here’s
a guide to a few of the favorites:
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Losing the Foods We Love to Eat
With its rich texture and lovely golden hue, honey is a natural sweetener prized for its wonderful flavor and unique composition, making it a deliciously healthy antioxidant and useful antimicrobial agent.
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No doubt about it, summer is the season for barbecuing. It's also the time of year when, for some, watching our waistline is a top priority. If you love barbecued foods but don't want all the bad saturated fats found in foods such as red meat, beef and pork sausages, and butter, good fats can be found in foods such as fish, vegetables and olive oil. And, the intense heat of the grill brings out food's natural flavors; that means that there is no need to overload with calorie-laden butter. If you need to use an oil to keep foods from sticking, choose a monounsaturated one such as olive oil. Monounsaturated fats lower LDL cholesterol while saturated fats raise LDL cholesterol. Read Article Food In The News
A Slice of the Sweet Life
Cool, crisp melons elicit the essence of summer. With their refreshing flavor,
cantaloupe, casaba, honeydew and watermelon are thirst-quenching fruits
that you can feel great about indulging in. Low in calories, melons contain
key vitamins and nutrients.
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A Balancing Act
Wild Salmon—firm in flesh, rich in oil, almost nutty in taste. All across
the United States, from consumers to fish vendors to restaurants, there
is no other fish that gets people as excited as the first wild salmon of
the season. For people in the Pacific Northwest, grilling the first wild
salmon fillet of the season is an obsession and ritual combined into one.
Salmon are not only beloved for their flavor and texture; they are also
high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to have certain health
benefits. Read Article Articles - Healthy Eating
A+ Choices For Nutritious Snacks & Meals
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Tasty Tips for Stress Prevention
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The What, Why and Where
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It’s Time To Enjoy The Nutritious Foods Of Fall
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Dislcaimer:
The information on this module is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional about your health and the health of others, and before acting upon any recommendation made in this module. Please note that medical information is constantly changing, so some information may be out of date.
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