It has a soft, butter-like consistency. It is deliciously sweet to eat. It can be found in the market a whole year round. It is spherical or pear-shaped with measurement of more or less 20 inches. The flesh has rich orange in color with yellow or pink hues. It contains papain, good for indigestion. It can be found in raw fruit. It came from Central America. It grows in clusters drawn by a tuft of leaves on long footstalks. It has thick rind and black seeds. Used as meat tenderizer (raw) by using juice or slice raw fruits. It has hollow cavity with numerous small seeds.
Properties: Rich source in anti-oxidant like carotenes, vitamin C, flavonoids. Has vitamin B, folate, pantothenic acid, minerals, potassium, magnesium and fiber. Paraoxonase, an enzyme that inhibits LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol oxidation. Has homocysteine, cysteine, methionine, papain, chymopapain, chitinases, tonic, stomachic, stimulant, laxative, digestive and rejuvenative. Has pepsin, beta-cryptoxanthin, and benzyl isothiocyanates, tocopherols.
Good in the prevention of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. Prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. The presence of plaque may cause heart attack or strokes. Good source of fiber. Good in lowering high cholesterol level. It has the capacity to prevent colon cancer by binding the toxin of the colon.
It has a protein-digesting enzymes to lower inflammation and improve the healing of skin burn. It helps for the proper function of a healthy immune system. It is proven to control ear infection, colds and flu. It can lower the risk of aged-related macular degeneration that cause vision loss in adults. Can protect rheumatoid arthritis because of its anti-oxidant that can protect inflammation of the joints.
It has vitamin A that can help to prevent disease due to secondhand smoke or being a smoker. By smoking, it can cause lung inflammation and emphysema. Due to its lycopene properties, it can control prostate cancer. Good alternative for those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Useful in relieving digestive disorders and stomach troubles.
It has pepsin properties, a powerful protein digesting enzyme that has a digestive action in the stomach. When the natural juice in the body reduced or decline, it can cause incomplete digestion and further the presence of gas, bloating, stomach discomfort and heartburn.
It has an active blood clotting agent to control bleeding. Good in the control of intestinal worms. The juice of raw fruit can prevent skin diseases (corns, wart, pimples, horny skin). It removes freckles and make the skin smooth and delicate in appearance. A paste of seeds is good for ringworm. Alternative treatment of chronic diarrhea. Good in the stimulation to secret more milk of mother during childbirth. Vitamin A accelerates formation of new cells. Vitamin C builds capillary strength.
I was watching television this morning while I was eating breakfast and saw a commercial that illustrated everything that is wrong right now in America in terms of our health. Here’s how the commercial went.
Tostitos - the healthy snack?
A man is walking down the aisle in the grocery store and he stops and stares at a shelf full of Tostitos corn chips. He says to himself, “Whole grain? I thought corn was a vegetable?” This fact, according to the commercial, influences him to buy these chips. The marketing on this commercial is as blatant as can be, but most people do not see it that way. Here is my thought process on this one.
First, the man raises the question of whole grains. Immediately all of our brains shift to healthy thoughts. We’ve been programmed that when we hear whole grains we should think healthy. While whole grains have their health benefits, excess amounts are not beneficial either, but I am just as guilty as most people when I hear ‘whole grains.’ I too shift to thinking about health, just as the marketers want you to do. So now they’ve got you thinking Tostitos corn chips are a healthy snack and the commercial has just begun. To hammer home the point they do something unbelievably clever. The man’s next statement is that he ‘thought’ corn was a vegetable. This is clearly to suggest that no matter how you think about it, whole grain or vegetable, these chips must be healthy! It is quite an amazing job of getting people to think health when thinking about a snack that is actually very bad for your health.
There is a small portion of the population that will see through this marketing and I suspect most of you reading this are those people. However, millions of Americans will see that commercial and assume that corn chips are a healthy snack because, as the commercial suggests, they are made from whole grains – or was it vegetables? It doesn’t matter which one it is because they’re both healthy, right? And there is the goal of the commercial. The chips are healthy because they’re made with whole grains or vegetables. Period. So, the next time these people go to buy chips, they won’t get anything else because they are ‘health conscious’ and the commercial said these are a healthy snack. Notice they never actually stated it was a healthy snack. This would get them into trouble with the FDA for false advertising. All of the ‘health’ talk in the commercial is implied through words like ‘whole grains’ and ‘vegetables.’
As a matter of fact their website talks about these chips and says they have just three simple ingredients – “corn, natural oil and a dash of salt.” What they fail to tell you is that their chips have a very high glycemic index because of the white corn they use. Consuming lots of white corn tortillas is a great way to give yourself diabetes. But Tostitos doesn’t want you to know that. Just think about the corn chips as a healthy whole grain/vegetable snack. Maybe Tostitos can lobby Congress to get it classified as one serving of vegetables?
I’d be surprised if you could find one responsible doctor or nutritionist that would say white corn chips are a healthy snack. They may be low in saturated fat and contain zero grams of trans fat, all the traditional markings of a healthy snack, but that does not make them healthy. You must consider the carbohydrate count and the effect it will have on your physiology from a hormonal standpoint. These chips will force your body to produce massive amounts of insulin and, over time, this is extremely dangerous. It leads to diabetes which is a major cause of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases in this country.
If you want a healthy snack, skip the middle aisles in your grocery store. Eat things like nuts and seeds, fruits, vegetables and other nutrient dense foods. Tostitos wants you to see their chips as healthy, but they clearly are not. They know this as well. That’s why you don’t hear them actually use the words ‘healthy snack.’ They are trying to fool the American public to make a little bit more money. If the government wants to reduce health care costs, they should crack down on advertising like this and really educate the public on what a ‘healthy snack’ actually is.
I have no idea why I wrote that title… maybe I was channeling Bob Hope and his “Thanks for the Memories” song… but bear with me… it worked in my mind…
Flax… have you heard of it? It’s my new favorite food. It’s a tiny, tiny little seed, with a POWERFUL punch. The best thing about it? IT TASTES GREAT!
I do wish we would name our foods with pretty names. Flax seems like its good for you, therefore, it MUST taste awful! Why couldn’t it be named… oh….Moonbeam seed… or Livewell kernel… but… alas… Flax is short and sweet… less to type.
I have been adding Flax seed MEAL to almost every food I prepare for my family and myself. Yes, if you’ve taken bread home from my oven, or eaten my cookies, or have come over for dinner in the past 2 years… you, too, have eaten Flax seed meal. Bet you didn’t know you did!
Every bread loaf, bagel, baguette, breadstick, pizza crust, cookie, cake, bowl of cereal, and casserole I make, has added Flax seed meal in it… when I cook for friends and family.
It contains essential amino acids that are hard to find elsewhere, in such abundance. It has FIBER galore, and it’s GREAT for lowering cholesterol… and has been studied and shown to slow the growth of breast tumors in women and prostate cancer growth in men.
It’s important to eat it ground up. You can buy whole Flax seeds like I do, and grind them up nicely in a coffee grinder, batch for batch. Or you can buy it already ground up. Make sure to store any unused portion in the refrigerator because it’s chock full of wonderful good-for-you fatty acids that can go rancid quickly.
I love the Bob’s Red Mill variety, and I can find it at my local supermarket… and Trader Joes. All health food, or Whole Foods stores carry it.
Sneak it into foods… sprinkle it on cereal, add a tablespoon or two to your smoothie, add it to cookie dough, stir it into soups and stews… You’ll barely notice it’s there.
It’s a very small, economical way to add powerful nutrition to our day. Aren’t you worth the very best?
I think it’s been MONTHS since I posted 2x in one day! Whew! So much going on and so little time in which to share and catch up with you all! Forgive me for not being as “active” in the Blogosphere — work is busy and I am continuously striving for a healthy life-work-happiness-blog balance Just like my garden should come with a warning, so should blogging — it quickly becomes very time-consuming!!
If you haven’t already checked out my finished garden bed, be sure you do! I am very proud!
On to the Q&A…
Ambre: I’m a new-vegetarian…as of the end of November/beginning of December…Well, technically pescetarian. I’m doing the Susan G Komen 3-Day for the Cure in November (my 2nd time), which is a 60 mile walk over the course of three days. I found this information on their website, and I was wondering if there was anything else you recommend for me?
In order for vegetarian diets to support optimal athletic performance, it is important to incorporate an adequate amount of protein into your daily diet. Many people believe that following a vegetarian diet means they automatically will lose weight. This is not necessarily the case as many vegetarians inadvertently have a high fat intake based on whole-fat dairy products, butter, eggs, cheeses, nuts and seeds. Below are some tips for following a healthy vegetarian diet to help lose weight, maintain an optimal protein intake and support your training walks: 1. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products or low-fat fortified soy products. 2. Build your protein around legumes, tofu and tempeh. 3. Watch serving sizes on nuts and seeds; they are full of healthy fat but are very concentrated in calories. 4. Avoid fried foods and choose those that are baked, broiled, or steamed. 5. Add protein powder to shakes or cereal if you are not getting enough. 6. Increase your bean intake; they are high in protein and fiber. 7. Add soy products to your diet. 8. Limit snacks that are high in sugar and fat. 9. Flavor foods with salsa, lemon juice and vinegars instead of high-fat condiments like butter, mayonnaise and high-fat dressings. Certain vitamins and minerals such as iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin B12, calcium and zinc must be consumed in adequate amounts. These typically are found in animal based foods. Fortified soymilks are great for boosting calcium and vitamin B12. Eggs also are a great source of B12. Outstanding iron sources include fortified breakfast cereals, bread, textured vegetable protein, legumes, dried beans, nuts, dried fruit and green leafy vegetables. Eating rich sources of vitamin C with meats will help enhance iron absorption.
Prevention RD: Great question, Ambre! The suggestions the website made are really helpful. I don’t agree that soy should be added to the diet, however. I think that there are some benefits of soy in moderation, but some research suggests soy intake is related to increased risk of breast cancer. I particularly like that the information fully discloses that a vegetarian diet does not necessarily produce weight loss. When you cut out major foods groups in the diet, intake of other food groups naturally increases. When meat is taken out of the diet, protein intake tends to drop and fat and carbohydrate intake goes up. Thus it is important to get adequate protein (0.8-1 gram per kilogram of body weight) and to ensure fat sources are rich in mono and polyunsaturated fat versus saturated and trans fat and carbohydrate sources are complex and high in fiber. I hope this helps! Feel free to email me any further questions on this and I can help calculate some nutrient goals for you! And thanks for walking the Susan G. Komen 3-Day! You are inspirational!
Also, please consider giving to Ambre’s fund-raising! A little bit will truly make a difference! I always feel so empowered after giving to a great cause!
John of Challenges 2010: When I get my blood checked can you give me an idea of what things to make sure they check. I mean they check for the good/bad cholesterol and blood sugar and really can’t remember what else. Reason I ask is I’m up here in Canada and it sounds like they don’t check out as many things or I just don’t know what other info I should be trying to get off them.
Prevention RD: This is a really great question and my answer may be biased from a nutrition perspective, but I’ll give it a go! I ALWAYS check: total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (the “bad”), HDL-cholesterol (the “good”), triglycerides, GFR (kidney function), plasma glucose, HbA1c (on my diabetics and pre-diabetics), TSH (metabolism), hemoglobin, hematocrit, TIBC (total iron binding capacity), AST and ALT (liver enzymes). For what it’s worth our clinic runs a CMP (complete metabolic panel), lipids (cholesterol), TSH, and CBC (complete metabolic panel) on patients annually. This is going to include everything I look at as a dietitian and then some. Good for you for being an active advocate for your health! We cannot always leave our well-being in the hands of professionals.
John of Challenges 2010: According to SparkPeople I don’t eat enough carbs. I do not try to avoid carbs. I do try and get my macronutrients in a 40:30:30 ratio for carbs, fats and proteins. Is there a minimum number you recommend and can you give me some ideas besides arborio rice that are higher in carbs but still not bad in calories?
Prevention RD: Risotto everyday! Just kidding…that’s a joke for John since he got me hooked on Arborio rice I think knowing your body weight would give me a better idea of how many grams you need, but with all of your exercise I would think 50% calories from carbohydrates may be a better fit for your needs. I’m a fan of 40:30:30 for those who are inactive, but that’s not you. Exercise requires a lot of glycogen (carbohydrate stores) and replenishment of the glycogen stores after long workouts. For a 2,000 calorie diet, this would be 250 grams of carbohydrates. I never recommend much below 150-160 grams, and that’s for my diabetics or petite patients. As for sources of carbohydrate: fruits, vegetables, legumes, milk, yogurt, and whole grains (bread, rice, pasta, quinoa, millet, barley, oats, etc.). Of course juice, sugar, candy, pastries, and sweets will contain plentiful amounts of simple carbohydrates, as well. But aim to have at LEAST half your grains as whole each day!
John of Challenges 2010: Green Tea…what are the health benefits and is there a difference between the stuff you brew at home or pick-up bottled?
Prevention RD: Green tea — thumbs up! Green tea with aspartame — thumbs down! Like many things health-related we can observe the practices of the East where tea (green and otherwise) are staple beverages. There is no denying that green tea offers a zero-calorie, antioxidant-rich, tasty thirst quencher with a MUCH lower caffeine content than most other caffeinated beverages, but what is added TO the green tea is the deciding factor in it’s benefit. Most of the green teas on the market which are bottled and sweetened contain excessive amounts of sugar (64 grams in some!) or aspartame. Additionally, many bottled teas are made from tea powder which lacks the antioxidants of brewed tea. The bottled green teas may also contain preservatives to extend shelf-life which many times add sodium to the tea, as well as making it less “pure” (I will NOT use the word “CLEAN”!). I hope this helps some…another really great question!
Rebecca from France: I’m curious to know your opinion on artificial sweetners/sugar substitutes. My mother uses Splenda a lot and these types of sweeters are just starting to grow in popularity in France. But how healthy are they really? I ask because most people would agree that “processed meat,” for example, isn’t as healthy as a cut of meat. So why, then, would processed/artificial sweetners be a good choice to put in our bodies (as opposed to “real” sugar)?
Prevention RD: I want to quote Cara from Cara’s Cravings. Last week’s Q&A had a question about sweeteners, and she left a great comment that read:
I don’t think there’s a definitive answer on what the healthiest alternative to sugar is. There are so many ways to be healthy! For some people, it’s really important to limit those extra calories, and I happen to think that some artificial sweetener here and there is not going to kill you, and can certainly help with a weight-loss diet. For some people, keeping it all-natural is a top priority. Personally? I’m somewhere in the middle so I use a variety of sweeteners – Truvia, agave in moderation, a little splenda here and there, and real sugar.
I agree with Cara’s words 100%. Working with a large diabetic population, I know the importance of artificial sweeteners. And for those watching their weight, artificial sweeteners allow a lot more flexibility in their diet. As someone who not only “knows” nutrition, but also struggles with their weight, I too see the value in non-nutritive sweeteners (calorie-free). However, I do believe artificial sweeteners are WAY over-used in our society. I aim to use a variety of sweeteners and ALL of them in moderation — I drink 1 can of Zevia a day (Stevia-sweetened carbonated beverage) and use Splenda, brown sugar, suncant, cane sugar, granular sugar, powdered sugar, agave, honey, molasses, maple syrup, and so on in cooking and baking. As far as artificial sweeteners, I strictly use Splenda and Stevia products and steer clear of aspartame and Sweet ‘n’ Low, Equal, Twin, etc. Bottom line is that there’s no single way to reach “good health” and that one person’s goals and needs are very different from the next person’s. I hope this helps — excellent question!
Thanks everyone for submitting wonderful questions! Feel free to send any nutrition questions my way and I will be happy to answer them on the next Q&A!
And an Oklahoma joke for the day…
You know you work in Oklahoma when the doctor on staff leaves at 1 pm to go deliver a calf. But, he’ll be back just as soon as he can!
They sell Chocolate Cheerios now. That can’t be right, can it? I mean don’t get me wrong, I’m no crazy purist or anything, and I love a good dose of cocoa as much as the next guy, but for crying out loud, what’s next, Strawberry Pringles?
I know I should be rejoicing, and when I impulsively snagged a box on Sunday (from the dang end-aisle display of course), I was very happy that my favorite method of reducing my cholesterol was now in a new and more inviting flavor. But even after partaking of these tasty morsels, I’m still conflicted. I mean, aren’t Cheerios supposed to be healthy, cholesterol-lowering, tasteless little turnips? Shouldn’t I be dolefully trudging my way through a bowl of mindless crunch-nuggets while I improve my health and maintain my less-than-appealing physique? And here’s another thing, they don’t have any more carbs than the regular Cheerios! How the hell can they make something that tastes like Cocoa Puffs but is actually on the list of “good” foods for a diabetic? Now I admit I was also totally stumped about the whole teflon thing (couldn’t figure out how something so incredibly non-stick stayed stuck the pan) but I’ve grown now, I’ve matured, and I’ve come to understand that some things in life are not meant to be understood. So for now I’m disregarding my queasiness with the absurdity of eating a heaping bowl of chocolaty goodness and accepting that Karma has come full circle and all the bad things I’ve done in life have been forgiven. Thank you General Mills, you fancy bastards, I love your new cereal!
When it’s time to clean up outside and do the yard, certain tools are commonly used no matter where you are. But I’m not talking about gardens and gardening tools. I’m talking about the yard itself. If you’ve got a lawn, you’ll probably own a lawn mower. If you have trees in your yard, you may have a chain saw, even an axe.
What’s your plan when your blades become dull? When the lawn looks unhealthy after you’ve just cut it, when your chain saw is taking too long to do its job, when you’re forced to keep swinging away with your axe because it’s just not cutting right? Well, you know it’s time to sharpen up those blades up.
Believe me, you don’t need to buy new blades. You needn’t go to a professional blade sharpener. Not everyone likes, or is able, to turn their blades in for professional sharpening once or a few times a year, anyway. You can do the sharpening yourself, right at home with your own hands using a sharpening file.
This could be the fastest sharpening because you’ll be doing it yourself, right there where you are. It could be the cheapest sharpening because you won’t be paying anyone to do it for you. You won’t be spending gas money to go drop them off to a professional and then to pick them up. You won’t have to buy new blades or chains. Isn’t all that worth it?
Why use a sharpening file? Sharpening files are lined with strong cutting ridges that abrade, or smooth, metal or wood. There are many kinds to choose from. Each type is meant to work on a specific type of surface. The coarse grade file is meant to remove a lot of metal, like when you’ve got to reshape a blade edge that has been dinged, nicked badly or banged up. The smooth grade file is meant for edges that need to have a nice smooth finish. This is usually the last step in sharpening. Your choice will depend upon just how sharp you want your blade to be.
To sharpen a lawn mower blade, a bastard file is a good choice. It does a fine job of sharpening lawn mower blades. It’s able to sharpen, as well as put a razor-sharp edge on your blade. If you prefer, there are special rotary blade files that can be used.
If home owners are fortunate, there are trees that enhance the look of their yard and home. Periodic use of a chain saw becomes necessary, in such cases. To sharpen the many cutting teeth of a chain saw, round files are used. They’re also called chain saw files. The teeth on a chain saw come in different sizes. They’re specified in the owner’s manual, so be sure to check and use the right size. Don’t just buy what you find. You could really ruin your chain.
Maybe you don’t have a chain saw. Maybe you’ve got an axe. If you do then you’ll probably know that working with a dull axe will make you frustrated and tired. You’ve got to make it sharp for your own safety and not just for the job you need to do. An axe file or a cross cut file may be used to get your axe in good working condition. If you prefer a razor-sharp edge, a flat file or a smooth grade file could do the trick. Tough working axes don’t need such a sharp edge. But they do need it to be sharpened correctly in order to cleave through the wood. It all depends on just how sharp you need it to be.
Whether you have a lawn mower, a chain saw or an axe for maintaining your yard, you can do the fastest, and cheapest, sharpening job ever by doing it yourself. And it really isn’t hard to do. It just takes a bit of time, patience and practice. You’ll be developing very useful skills that could save you hundreds of dollars and a great deal of time. If you do it right, your blades could last your lifetime. Be careful.
July 2008
Len Q. is a master blade sharpener and an adventurer who strives to protect the natural world. If you would like to learn more about
-Knife Sharpening: How to Sharpen Knives, Maintain and Store Them – Tests for Sharpness, Sharpening Angles and Much more -How to Sharpen, Maintain and Store Lawn Mowers, Chain Saws and Axes -Sharpening Gardening Tools (Maintain and Store Them)
Higher cholesterol can be associated to a specific form of life-style. These include smoking, eating alcohol, top an inactive life style, being under a excessive level of tension, bad eating habits, getting additional pounds than is healthy for your age or entire body frame, getting a family members historical past of huge fat, consuming an excessive amount of vitamin D, and also getting anabolic steroids or corticosteroids.
Visit cholesterol lowering foods
We all need to exercise – ask your doctor. Even if weight loss is not the goal, exercise keeps us healthy and improves quality of life. This is very good – for those who like exercise, and have plenty of extra time for him. So what about the rest of us? Stay Positive – Do not be discouraged The good news is that you do not have to put aside the hours of your day to exercise. In fact, the last word is that the requirement of long lasting 30 minutes each day can be divided into even shorter intervals. The American Diabetes Association is even suggesting to try to fit 3 intervals of ten minutes in your day. Note that the ideal is just that – perfect. It would be great if we all had time to do our assigned daily exercise every day. In real life, however, perfection does not exist, and not all situations are ideal. The important thing is to make the most of what they have, and give things your best effort. No need to be frustrated with yourself in the days that you have little or no time for exercise. Definitely not give up because their schedule does not permit the perfect amount of time. Doing anything is better than doing nothing. If 10 minutes is all we have today, more than 10 minutes is just enough time. If you can fit in 30 minutes tomorrow, which is also great. Focus on doing what works for you instead of trying to force a longer time than your schedule allows. Jump Start Your Day Who wants to be queen of the abs anyway? You do not have to do 700. See if you can handle just 2 minutes in the morning before the shower for a couple of crunches, or a large base of basic Pilates exercise. So do not wake up tomorrow with ABS Janet Jackson – are still making progress, and a little exercise on the sly in his day! Why are around while you brush your teeth? By making a few quick squats, you can get a little more exercise. Plus, you'll likely find that you brush your teeth a little more. If you do not always go the entire time recommended by your dentist, are now creating two good habits – Congratulations! Step Up Your whole world can walk daily activities more – even without an hour or more for a long walk. Park a little farther from the store. You will probably save time by not hunting for the nearest point as the ride takes you to do. Walk down to the mailbox to get the email or paper, instead of picking it up while driving past. Keep your eyes open, there are probably dozens of opportunities in your daily routine to add a couple of steps. When you have the time to do it, do it. Everything helps. Try a fast pace. Instead of taking their time getting places, walk a little faster. He moved quickly to raise the heart rate rather than give most benefits of their movements. As a bonus, you will receive when you go a little faster, one may find a few extra minutes in your day. Multi-tasking Everyone has their work tasks, unloved. The trick is not to think of exercise as another task on the list. Exercise can really be something that makes their jobs more bearable. Almost any task that is or can be done while standing, like washing dishes or folding laundry is a great opportunity to work the leg. Try walking or jogging in place, do squats, something that gets you moving. Turn up the music! Dancing is an aerobic exercise. It's also fun, and will do almost any task seems to go faster. The best part is that dance is a form of exercise astute – it's fun, and you can do almost anytime. Dance while you're cleaning, making bed, even while making dinner! Finish Strong After a long day, relaxing sounds much better than in the exercise. You can still fit in a little more exercise. Industrial: only seem to get more and more – what a perfect time to get a few minutes of exercise! There are so many choices, too. You could do a few sit-ups, some push-ups, even jogging in place. Small hand weights are also great. You could do some light lifting, even during the program. Try some stretches or yoga program. You will find that exercise can be relaxing, loosening tight muscles. Although no substitute for your favorite types of relaxation at night, you can find a place for a little exercise into your routine. The exercise is not the enemy. It is so important for your wellbeing that you need to find ways to fit into your daily schedule. Exercising when – and how – you can always better than not exercising. Work with your routine and stay alert to the ways you can adjust a little more exercise into your day. Your body will thank you.
Just like my garden should come with a warning, so should blogging — it quickly becomes very time-consuming!! 
