…and it’s definitely been a good thing.

Instead of snacking on potato chips, pretzels, and buttery popcorn – I have a handful of almonds, or walnuts, now-a-days.

Not only are they filling — but, in moderation, they’re good for you too.

Here’s the official word:

Effective Dieting with Nuts

Nuts are a great component to an effective diet.

They are high in fat, but positive fat, which is critical to good health. Nuts also provide protein and fiber.

A quarter-cup serving of nuts, combined with a glass of fat-free milk, is a great snack. Nuts also make a nutritious topping for salads and main courses. Almonds, cashews, pecans, and macadamias have the most nutritional value.

Go nuts!  It’s great!

Charly

PS – Here’s some related reading about the benefits of :

• Raw Food: A Complete Guide for Every Meal of the Day
• The Beauty Detox Solution by Kimberly Synder
• The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth

Excellent information!

…these guys took on the challenge, and wow, that must have been intense!

As you probably know, based on the premise of this blog, my biggest find over the last 10 years in my quest to eat & live healthy was primarily eating single ingredient foods (i.e. fruits, and vegetables, true fruit juices – thank you SunHarvest!, and sticking with grains, nuts, and so forth).

I do a fairly good job of sticking to that routine, but I’m realistic when it comes to eating out, or at parties.

It’s my goal to eat ‘real food’ at least 80% of the time…

With that in mind, I’m not 100% sure I could stick to a 28 day Real Food Challenge, could you?

Be sure to read the entire CNN article for more information.

…to feel the best I can.

I’ve realized over the last few years, that there are multiple things to consider — such as:

• Assuring I get enough sleep.
• Assuring I eat the ‘good for you foods’.
• Assuring I continually have balance (work, and play!)

Recently, I’ve discovered three web sites that have really helped me gain a higher level of understanding of taking my quest to the next level.

I’m going to share them with you, here’s 3 Sure Fire Ways to Feel Better:

1. www.Lef.org – LifeExtension – specifically visit the Health Concerns section, they have top-notch health information.
2. www.VRP.com – Vitamin Research Articles – be sure to visit the Research Center, they’re passionate about nutritional science.
3. www.SparkPeople.com – This is still one of my favorites, because not only does it have great resources, it has a great community you can get involved in as well.

Do you have any other web sites that you reference for hints, tips or techniques on feeling the best you can?  Please share them below!

Thanks so much,

Charly

…and your family?

Who isn’t, right?

Kristin Doyle, an RN, has created a wonderful book called the “Therapeutic Chef” that provides recipes to prevent cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

This book will, quite literally, transform your life.

It is packed full of information on what foods are helpful for preventing illness and disease.

There are over 300 recipes that range from super simple to more complex.  While you’re cooking you’ll get to learn about the medicinal value of the ingredients used, and that, my friends, is invaluable.

There is:

• a pantry list,
• an equipment list,
• a glossary of Powerfoods,
• a section on Herbal Remedies for First Aid, and
• a list of Gluten-Free Recipes.

Every recipe was created to help prevent cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

There is an explanation of what foods are the very best for helping to fight those conditions and what foods you’ll want to avoid.

I think the biggest bonus is that you’ll learn why eating this way is also beneficial for our planet!

Take a look, it’s on Amazon.com, and it’s called the Therapeutic Chef!

Enjoy,

Charly

…called FitBit, and it tests & measures all crucial data regarding fitness & sleep!

FitBit tracks:

• calories burned,
• steps taken,
• distance traveled, and
• sleep quality.

It contains a 3D motion sensor (like the ones found in the Wii controllers) and tracks your motion in three dimensions and converts this into useful information about your daily activities.

You can wear the FitBit on your waist, in your pocket, or on your undergarments.

At night, you simply need to wear the included wristband to track your sleeping patterns.

The coolest part?

Anytime you walk by the included wireless base station (within 15′), data from the FitBit is silently uploaded to the base station!

Learn all about the FitBit by visiting their web site at: www.FitBit.com.

…it’s been clear that with most of my findings, it happens to others as well!

With that in mind, here’s five foods that will help you sleep:

1. Turkey – it has very high levels of tryptophan, which is a known sleep inducer.  Also, seafood, chicken and soybeans will do the trick too.
2. Yogurt – it is also high in tryptophan.
3. Almonds, and other nuts – they’re also loaded with tryptophan, and the calming magnesium.
4. Beans and soy are high in magnesium & tryptophan.
5. Spinach – loaded with B vitamins, and magnesium.

You’ve probably experienced that sleepy sensation after Thanksgiving Dinner, you’re totally on to something!

Do you have any foods that make you tired?   Let me know by commenting below, I’ll give them a try!

Thanks so much,

Charly

it’s been loud and clear…

I’ve proven it to myself, as have millions of others:

Regular physical activity gives you energy, levels your body out, and most importantly, cuts the risk of heart attack and stroke!

Here’s 5 Ways to take care of your heart (and live longer!) through exercise:

1. Document your exercise goals – in writing!  Look at them daily, try for 30 to 60 minutes three days a week of biking, brisk walking, or running.
2. Use visualization – keep an ideal image of yourself in mind, and readily accessible.  I found my f#$(*1@ inspiration, and it’s really helped me!
3. Make exercise a priority – many times, this is easier said than done.  The big thing that’s changed in my mindset is the fact then I don’t think about doing it, I just DO it.
4. Take action and start moving – keep in mind, a body at rest, tends to stay at rest, and a body in motion tends to stay in motion.
5. Buy a pedometer – “you can’t change what don’t measure” and this plays a key role in elping you understand how much you walk per day, aim for 10,000 steps a day.

Another approach that’s worked very well for me is disguising my exercise – for example, I’ll:

• walk to the bookstore (about a mile away),
• ride my bike to work (about 3.5 miles away),
• walk to a restaurant (about a mile away), and
• take the stairs.

If you’d like to learn more, here are some great books I’ve found.

Take care, and I hope this helps you!

Charly

web site provided by the US Government is a great start!

MyPyramid Blast Off is an interactive computer game where kids can reach Planet Power by fueling their rock with food and activity.  The game assures they understand what food goes in what food group, and helps them understand how their choices fit into the pyramid of what you’re supposed to eat.

It’s a great way to help kids understand the value of different food.

If you’re looking for other uplifting, education material online, be sure to check out HaveFunTeaching.com, ColorMeGood.com, and Free-Worksheets.com.

Mark, the founder of HaveFunTeaching.com, also has a “Songs for Kids” CD available on Amazon.   My girls love “Hey Bully“, “The Noun Song“, and their absolute favorite is “The Verb Rap Song“.

Enjoy!

Charly

I have, I was there through the entire process and…

I miss my grandma big time.

I especially miss her now that my daughters are growing up, and don’t get to feel the love she so generously gave…

If you’ve watched someone you know slowly die of cancer (or even, in the best case, beat it!), you know you want to do almost anything to assure your very own safety against it.

Fortunately, we live in a world where we KNOW that certain foods fight off cancer, and provide other benefits as well.

Amazingly, they are simple, healthy foods that fit perfectly with the theme of this web site!

Here’s a list of some simple, healthy foods that combat cancer:

• Apricots
• Beans
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Cherries
• Fish
• Flax
• Grapefruit
• Grapes
• Lemons
• Limes
• Mangoes
• Onions
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Walnuts, and
• Water!

About 3 years ago, I made the commitment to “like tomatos” for one reason: Their benefit to my health.  I’m glad I did.

If you have other foods you enjoy that combat cancer, please share them below!

If you’re below the age of 50, your odds are very low.

However…

Once you’ve hit 50, your odds go up, very quickly, and if you:

• are overweight,
• have had a moderate liquor consumption (three drinks a day vs. per week), and,
• eat a typical American diet (fried foods, meat, little vegetables)

that increases your odds even more!

Bottom line, no matter what age you are, it’s a good idea to eat the following foods.  As they are known to help you protect your prostate:

• Cauliflower
• Grapefruit
• Peanuts
• Tomatos
• Watermelon

Not only that, they are “good for you” foods with one ingredient, so you they’ll help you feel better overall, and lose weight if you make them a bigger part of your diet.

Interested in learning more?  Here’s a few articles that discuss the topic:

• Diet and prostate cancer
• Obesity hurts odds for prostate cancer recovery
• Prostate Cancer: Playing the odds

…there are many ways to season food without having to use traditional:

• salt,
• high calorie dressing,
• heavy cream sauces, and
• cheeses.

The trick is to use flavorful spices, natural juice and herbs such as rosemary, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and basil that are incredibly tasty, good for you, and extremely low in calories.

For example, a squirt of lemon juice can really bring out the flavor, and make your meal seem fresher and more tasty.

After buying a small pouch of herbs for $3.99 each, and only using a small portion of it — we ended up going to Home Depot, getting a pot, and some rosemary, basil and oregano.

For around $25 we started growing our own, and have paid off our investment in 2 months.

Our Herb Garden – Rosemary, Basil and Oregano

It works great, and down here in Florida, they grow really well!

Do you have any hints and tips related to seasoning this way?

Please comment below.