Superfoods: Nutrient Density

How nutrient dense are the foods you eat on a regular basis? Meaning, how many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are you getting from the common foods you eat? Today we tend to look more at the calories of foods than we do their nutrition content. Nutritious food leaves you feeling more full and gives you more energy, supports your immune system, and other bodily functions.
Here is a list of the top 30 superfoods!

*Dr.Fuhrman’s Nutrient
Top 30 Super Foods Score
1. Collard, mustard, & turnip greens 1000
2. Kale 1000
3. Watercress 1000
4. Bok choy 824
5. Spinach 739
6. Brussels sprouts 672
7. Swiss chard 670
8. Arugula 559
9. Radish 554
10. Cabbage 481
11. Bean sprouts 444
12. Red peppers 420
13. Romaine lettuce 389
14. Broccoli 376
15. Carrot juice 344
16. Tomatoes & tomato products 190-300
17. Cauliflower 295
18. Strawberries 212
19. Pomegranate juice 193
20. Blackberries 178
21. Plums 157
22. Raspberries 145
23. Blueberries 130
24. Papaya 118
25. Brazil nuts 116
26. Oranges 109
27. Tofu 86
28. Beans (all varieties) 55-70
29. Seeds: flaxseed, sunflower, sesame 45
30. Walnuts 29

read more here: http://www.happyhealthylonglife.com/happy_healthy_long_life/andi-scale-aggregate-nutrient-density-index.html

Integrative Nutrition

I just started reading my new book "Integrative Nutrition" by Joshua Rosenthal, founder/director for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York. I know several Holistic Health Couselor's who have gone through this nutrition program and I have learned so much about nutrition from them. More than I ever learned in school or through fitness certifications. I have to share this paragraph from the 1st chapter because it give you a pretty good understanding of what our problem is in America....

We are witnessing a health crisis in America today. In 2004, 66% of Americans were overweight or obese. That number has greatly increased in the past few years. Every day, 2,500 Americans die from cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Why are American's so unhealthy and overweight? Why do we suffer in increasing numbers from chronic health concerns, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, reproductive issues and depression? Why do we need so much medical attention and medication?
The answers to these questions lies in the regrettable fact that in America, medicine has become a profit-driven mega-business. Origingally, the medical establishment's aim was to promote healing, but it increasingly rlies on a pro-business model instead of a pro-health model at the expense of Americans. The goal has become to increase profit, decrease expense and let the chips fall away where they will. This healthcare system is failing us... We get more prescriptions and less guidance on how to create long-term health.
We can do better. We must recognize the fundamental relationship between poor nutrtion, expensive healthcare and the lamentable state of the public's health. What we eat makes a huge difference; yet very few doctors, corporations or politicians stand up for this truth.

Please join me!

Interested in knowing more about the Paleo lifestyle? Here is your chance!

What is Aspartame?

http://www.naturalnews.com/034320_aspartame_sweetener_side_effects.html#ixzz1rXujWGDj

(NaturalNews) Over a billion people consume aspartame in their foods and beverages across the world, believing it to be a safe ingredient, but what they probably don't know is that aspartame currently accounts for over 75% of all side effects complaints received by the FDA's Adverse Reaction Monitoring System (ARMS) for the past 4 years. It is banned by health-conscious countries all over the world, especially where there is a national healthcare system in place.

Aspartame is best known by the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Sweet One and Spoonful. Aspartame is a synthetic chemical combination which is comprised of approximately 50% phenylalanine, 40% aspartic acid, and 10% methanol. Aspartame is found in thousands of foods, drinks, candy, gum, vitamins, health supplements and even pharmaceuticals.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034320_aspartame_sweetener_side_effects.html#ixzz1rmUrLTyp

Absolutely!!

Source: google.ca via Lindsay on Pinterest

Break the Plateau!

Source: 29.media.tumblr.com via Anjali on Pinterest

10 Habits of Skinny People

I like this article, all except the daily weigh in. Check it out by clicking below.

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/10-habits-skinny-people-210000776.html

Diet Reviews

Wow, I took a little hiatus from the blogging there! Sorry about that. I'm back! I haven't yet given my full review of the 3 diets in 3 weeks experiment. I can say that I enjoyed it and learned a lot about Paleo, Weight Watchers, and Mediterranean. The biggest thing I learned is that I am not a counter and I don't like being very restricted! Who does right? I did better on the diets that allowed you to have as much of one thing and told you foods that were off limit rather than the one that said everything in moderation or as long as you count it. Of all the diets, I felt the Mediterranean was the most common sense diet. I felt it was pretty much how I normally eat. Whole grains, fruit and veggies, healthy fats. The Paleo was probably the most radical of the diets, but I actually enjoyed it and saw the best results with it! I am really thinking about going back to this on a long term basis. Its really a lifestyle diet, not meant to use for just a period of time, but you have to like protein and fruits and veggies, because thats just about all you eat! The lack of dairy and grains (I'm not sure which exactly did it) made me feel so less bloated and make my tummy feel super flat! I loved that.
Weight Watchers wasn't good for me. Number one I think you really have to do your homework before starting it and I must say I wasn't that prepared! I think this is a big eye opener for people when they see how many points some of there daily foods really are. For me though, I would be too obsessive....One of those people who would look at everything as a point and tell you how many points were in what you were eating! And it would be annoying! lol!
If you have any more questions on any of these, please let me know. I'd be happy to elaborate more! Thanks for following!