Posts Tagged ‘vitamins’

A Magic Pill For Getting Your Greens

June 8, 2016

 

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We all know that we should be eating more vegetables. In fact, 75% of all Americans only eat one or two servings of vegetables per day, versus the recommended 5-13 servings. Of those one or two servings of vegetables  that are being eaten, almost half are in the form of chips or french fries.

Many health advocates hopped on the smoothie and juice wagon, drinking much of thier recommended amount for breakfast each day. However, many of those green juices contain four times the amount of sugar the World Health Organization recommends consuming in any given day. While drinking your vegetables is certainly an easier fix than chowing through bunches of kale, and stalks of broccoli, there is now an even more streamlined way to get your greens.

A new product called 8G is a fizzy tablet that you drop into water, which provides you with 8 different types of greens, all in one simple dose.

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The brain child of Dawn Russell, a former model, and current British royal, was developed after her battle with stage three cancer several years ago. Russell traveled the world seeking alternative cures when a bone infection prevented her from under going traditional chemotherapy. While many turned out to be more harm than good, she discovered that the more greens she consumed, the stronger she became.

Russell is not touting greens as a cure for cancer; she had several surgeries and other treatments as well. She does believe that eating healthy greens contributed to saving her life.

8G is comprised of 8 different greens, including spinach, wheat grass, blue green algae, kale, spirulina, aloe vera, chlorella and barley grass, which are purported to detoxify, oxygenate, and alkalize the body. It contains vitamins C, and B3, B5, B6 and B12, zinc and niacin. 8G is free of wheat, gluten, sugars, dairy, allergens, salt and preservatives. Each tablet contains only 9 calories, and is portable enough to keep in your handbag to drink anywhere that water is available.

After years of development, testing and tasting, not only has Russell hit on a formula that is palatable, she has also gotten the cost down from $100 to just $12.50 per vial of 10 tablets.

The Penninsula Hotel Group and Nordstrom are among those who have embraced the product, and expansion plans already underway.

You can try it yourself, by ordering through the 8G website.

Photos: Courtesy of 8G

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Unrecipe of the Week: Sweet Potato Shoestrings

September 28, 2015

 

4270200258_compTraditionally brought out for Thanksgiving and slathered in sweet syrup and topped with marshmallows, sweet potatoes are among the most misunderstood foods around. It is time to challenge their reputation as an overly sweet and decadent side dish, and start to enjoy them in a purer form.

Sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses, packed with vitamins A and C, potassium and calcium. They are good source of iron, magnesium, and carotenoids. Baked, roasted or mashed, they are healthy and delicious additions to a meal. Many low carb diets allow sweet potatoes,

Lately, we have been spiralizing them into long skinny shoestrings, tossing them lightly in olive oil and seasalt and popping them in the oven. The result is a combination of crunchy and soft, sweet and salty. For about 140 calories per 1 1/2 cups of shredded sweet potatoes, you can reap the benefits guilt free.

Shoestring Sweet Potatoes:
Scrub a sweet potato and cut the ends off so that there are two flat sides to insert into the spiralizer. If the potato is very long, cut it in half. Spiralize the potato, skin and all. Toss the shoestrings in a little olive or coconut oil, and sprinkle them with coarse salt. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes, and then check to make sure that the edges are not starting to burn. Toss them, or rotate the pan and continue cooking until they are crisp around the edges, and fully cooked, about 20-25 minutes total, depending on how many potatoes you use. I find one good sized potato can easily feed two people when spiralized. Remove from the oven and enjoy!

If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use a vegetable peeler, but honestly, we think its just too much trouble! You can alternatively cut the potato into long chunks, like big french fries, and roast them a little longer (25-30 minutes) until they are soft inside, and crispy outside.

Photo: Glasshouse Images

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Pichuberries

September 24, 2015

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Last week I was on the hunt for fresh fruit to decorate the three tiered tart I was making for a photoshoot. I visited the Union Square Greenmarket and my favorite fresh produce shop in Chelsea Market, who often carry a unique selection of fruits and vegetables. The goal was to find fruit that was not only appropriate in scale, but also in color scheme. I wanted to stay somewhat neutral in palette, with soft greens and pale oranges being the focus.
I saw these unusual berries when I walked into the store, and knew they would be the perfect compliment to the green champagne grapes, mini seckle pears, and tiny apricots that I was using. What I didn’t know, was that they are a nutritional powerhouse, primed to emerge as the next super fruit in our arsenal of healthy foods.

What were these called? Pichuberries!

These tiny, waxy berries grow inside husks like tomatillos do. The fruit is sweet and juicy with a tart aftertaste. They orginated in Peru, and are grown commercially in Columbia.

Pichuberries have a low glycemic index, and are high in antioxidents, minerals and protein. The fruit is also a good source of vitamins A, E, D, P and  B complex vitamins B1, B12 and B6. Just 3 oz. of pichuberries can provide 39% of the recommended daily requirement of vitamin D. They also contain a compound called withanolides, which are associated with inhibiting cancer cell growth, and reducing inflammation.

The list of health benefits is so long, that the pichubery has its own website, where you can learn more about it.

Move over acai, these little guys are coming for you!

Photos courtesty of pichuberry.com

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Turning a New Leaf

January 21, 2015

This year, kale has been touted as a superfood that is nutritionally superior to all others. It’s popularity has reached a fever pitch, to the point that it’s trendiness is starting to wear on us.

kale

kale

For those of your kale obsessed foodies, we have some big news.

The Center for Disease Control just released a ranking of 47 fruits and vegetables based on their nutritional value. The CDC took into consideration the amount of fiber, protein, potassium and vitamins.

I’m sorry to tell you that kale ranked 15th on the list. I know you’re devastated. But, alas, there are even healthier greens to explore. It’s ok. You might find one you like better, and you can start a new trend of your own.

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watercress

Watercress took the #1 spot, with Chinese cabbage, chard, and beet greens coming in next. Spinach ranked #5 followed by chicory, leaf lettuce and parsley. Romaine lettuce is 9th and the #10 spot goes to collard greens. With leafy greens taking the top 16 spots, it seems you can’t go wrong if you go green.
Of the foods tested, 41 of the 47 were classified as “powerhouses”, which are strongly associated with reducing chronic disease.

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Those that did not make the list are garlic, onion, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries and tangerines. While still healthy choices, they failed to meet the team’s criteria for classification as a powerhouse fruit or vegetable.

See the complete report here.

photos: Glasshouse Images

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Watermelon-palooza!

August 1, 2014

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Sunday, August 3 is National Watermelon Day, and we have set out make sure this fruit gets the respect it deserves.

Watermelon is low in calories, ( about 46 per cup) and high in health benefits.  As its name suggests, it is 93% water, making it incredibly hydrating.

It also packs a healthy dose of vitamins C, B1 and B6 and potassium, among others. It’s rich, red hue means it is also full of the antioxidant lycopene, which is also found in tomatoes.

When selecting a watermelon, look for a symmetrical and unblemished melon that feels heavy for its size. When turned over, there should be a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground during the ripening process. If the spot is green, or white, it is not yet ready to be eaten. Always wash and dry the outside of the melon before cutting.

While most of us think of eating watermelon in its purest form, it is actually a very versatile fruit. Not only is the juicy, pink flesh edible, but the seeds and rind are as well.

Here are some great ideas for preparing watermelon:

The melon is easily cut in half and hollowed out to use as a decorative bowl for fruit salad. The flesh can be scooped into balls, or cut into chunks and put back into the hollow rind. Add other fruits for variety, or enjoy it alone.

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Watermelon salad is a novel way to start a meal. Cut the watermelon into chunks, and sprinkle it with lime juice. Toss in some chopped fresh mint leaves, and some crumbled feta cheese.

For a refreshing cocktail, puree the watermelon and strain it through a sieve. Mix it with lime juice, triple sec and a shot of vodka and serve it icy cold.

Make a cold soup out of watermelon, ginger, and fresh mint. Freeze watermelon chunks until firm. Dice some fresh peeled ginger and add it to a pan of water with about 1/2 cup of sugar and simmer until the sugar dissolves and becomes a simple syrup. Put the watermelon into the blender, and puree. Add the warm syrup and blend until mixed. Add more water until the desired consistency is reached. Add a handful of mint leaves and continue to blend another minute.  Taste to adjust sugar and ginger accordingly. Serve in chilled bowls and garnish with more diced ginger or mint leaves.

The rinds of the melon can be pickled. Cut off the fleshy pink part and reserve for another use. Peel off the dark outer layer of skin, and cut the light green rind into chunks. Boil the pieces in salt water for about 5 minutes until softened. Combine 2 tablespoons of salt, 2 cups of sugar, 1 1/2 cups of apple cider vinegar, a handful each of black peppercorns and whole cloves, a couple of cinnamon sticks, a heavy pinch of  allspice and ground ginger in a pot and boil until the sugar dissolves.

Pour mixture over the rinds and cover the bowl to keep them submerged. Refrigerate overnight.  Strain the liquid into a pot and bring to a boil. Pour the mixture over the rinds and refrigerate overnight again. Repeat this process 1 or 2 more times and keep the finished rinds in jars until ready to eat.

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If all of this sounds daunting, have no fear. Head on over to your local Pinkberry to celebrate National Watermelon Day by enjoying their special Watermelon Cooler, a refreshing combination of their original tart frozen yogurt topped with freshly made crushed watermelon puree. Even better, each customer that purchases a medium sized yogurt has a 1 in 10 chance to receive it free! Every 10th cup is specially marked and whoever gets the marked cup gets their yogurt for free. Yum!

Happy Watermelon Day!

Photos: top: Glasshouse Images

Bottom photo courtesy of Pinkberry

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Vitamin Power

December 19, 2013

Most of us grew up taking some kind of vitamin suppliment. As adults, we have continued that habit, with the belief that we are doing something healthy for our bodies. Well, according to the Annuls of Internal Medicine, “enough is enough.”

Vitamin Capsules

New studies released this week, indicate that those who have a healthy diet, are wasting their money on additional vitamins: $28 million per year, to be exact.

In the past, it was discovered that certain vitamins were linked to illness. Vitamin D deficiency caused rickets, lack of folic acid caused spina bifida, and lack of sufficient vitamin A caused blindness. Over the years, better nutrition and vitamin fortified foods have made these risks almost obsolete.

While we load up on vitamin C to prevent colds, and calcium to strengthen our bones, all of the supplements we are taking can add up to too much of a good thing.

New information shows that too much beta carotene and vitamin E can cause cancer, and over loading on vitamin A can cause liver damage.

The vitamin habit may be a hard one to break. While vitamin supplements  are shown to provide no added benefit in preventing early death, or cognitive decline, more than 40% of us currently take them.

photo: Glasshouse Images

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No Yolk

November 7, 2013

4093602642For many years, we have been led to believe that egg yolks are our enemy. They are fattening and harbor all the nasty cholesterol that clogs our arteries and leads to heart problems, right? WRONG!

The American Heart Association recommends that we limit our cholesterol intake to 300 mg, per day. One egg yolk contains 185 mg, and who really eats just one egg? One egg contains approximately 72 calories, while the white contains only about 17 calories. It seems like a no-brainer to skip the yolk yet nutritionists are beginning to think differently.

Almost 90% of the nutrients in an egg are found in the yolk. What’s a little cholesterol, when you can get calcium, iron, folate, zinc and vitamins A, D and E, just to name drop a few?

Cholesterol is determined more by your genetics, fitness habits and stress levels, and less by the amount of animal fats you consume. Your cell structure is dependent on it, and it’s a precursor to your sex hormones and essential for growth.

They are better than a bagel for weight loss. Studies show that those individuals who ate eggs for breakfast, lost more weight than those whose breakfasts were made of white carbs. The high protein content also kept the subjects satiated for longer periods of time.

So, toss the old conventional wisdom out the window, and try eating the whole egg. You might just find it’s the healthier alternative.

No yolk. (bad pun intended.)

photo: Glasshouse Images

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Hangover Helper

December 31, 2012

7764600015 New Year’s Eve is upon us, and the celebration often involves large quantities of alcohol, resulting in an inevitable hangover.

While resolving to practice moderation might not work in “real time,” having the right foods on hand to ease the effects of over- indulging is a good idea.

Here are a few foods that are hangover helpers:

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Asparagus contains enzymes that help breakdown the alcohol in your body. Eating asparagus for dinner can jumpstart the process. Asparagus is also a natural diuretic, which will not only help the alcohol pass through your system more quickly, but will also help avoid the bloating associated with a night of indulgence.

Coconut water contains the same amount of electrolytes as many of the popular sports drinks, without all the sugar and additives.  An earlier study found that Zico Natural Pure Premium Coconut Water contains the most electrolytes of the conventional brands.

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Bananas are rich in potassium, which will strengthen your muscles and help overcome that weak shaky feeling, often experienced after a binge.

Tomato juice is a great way to hydrate, and is packed with vitamins and minerals that are depleted after a night of partying.

Organic, Pasteurized Eggs contain protein, which breaks down toxins in your body.
Eggs produced by grass fed hens replenish vitamin B levels as well.

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Quinoa is a trendy grain and a health powerhouse. It helps to restore amino acids lost during drinking and absorbs a little of that “icky” feeling in your stomach. Just remember to rinse the quinoa before cooking it, to make it easier on your digestive system.

Honey is loaded with antioxidants and naturally occurring fructose, which helps flush out the system. Drink it in some soothing tea, add it to your quinoa for a morning meal, or spread it on some toast.

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Much of what you are feeling the morning after is a result of dehydration. Try sipping a glass of water between cocktails, and be sure to down a large glass before bed. Sipping water throughout the next day will provide ample rehydration, and flush out your system.

Whatever you do, please don’t drink and drive! Plan ahead for transportation home from the celebration to insure a happy and safe New Year.
Happy 2013!!

photos: Glasshouse Images

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A Memorial Day Story: The True Meaning of Success

May 28, 2012

My nephew is currently serving in the military, at a remote base in Afghanistan.
When he wrote that they did not have access to fresh foods, such as fruit, vegetables or dairy, and only received 2 dried meals per day, I set out to find things that I could send him to keep him healthy during his deployment.
At first I sent the obvious; boxed chocolate milk, protein powder, “power bars”, and pouches of pureed apples with bananas or carrots. Then one day while trolling the aisles of Whole Foods, I stumbled upon Orgain, the perfect meal replacement that is shelf stable, nutritious, and could survive being airlifted by helicopter if necessary.

The product itself is incredible. It is a doctor developed nutritional shake that is organic and free of artificial sweeteners. It also contains 24 vitamins and minerals, is high in protein and has the antioxidant equivalent of 10 servings of fruits and vegetables in each eco-friendly tetra pack. It is shelf stable for one year, without the use of preservatives. I know, this sounds like an advertisement, but I haven’t gotten to the good part yet…

I wrote to the company and told them about the less than ideal circumstances that my nephew was experiencing, and how thrilled I was to find their product. They immediately replied that although were just a small start-up company, they would like to help. They graciously offered to ship their product to him and his entire team with their thanks for the sacrifices they were making for their country. I can’t thank them enough for their generosity and kindness. It is not just a company with a great product, but also one with a big heart.

As we speak, 72 boxes of Orgain are making their way to an army base somewhere in the mountains of Afghanistan, enroute to providing sustenance to a handful of men and women who are risking their lives on our behalf.

On Orgain’s website, there is an anonymous quote that epitomizes their business philosophy:
“To do more for the world than the world does for you, that is success.”

I guess they have a lot in common with those who will soon be receiving their gift.

This Memorial Day, please take a moment to give thanks for our fallen heroes, and for those who are currently serving. They, like Orgain are doing more for the world than the world is doing for them, and they are doing it with pride and dedication. I’d say they’re pretty successful, wouldn’t you?

Happy Memorial Day!

photo: Glasshouse Images

http://www.drinkorgain.com/

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