Calories aren't created equal: Nutrition is crucial

When we make healthy food choices, we look at calories and read nutrition labels. But there are other factors to consider. Nutrients contained in those foods are important.
Vitamins and minerals, such as C and potassium, are examples of micronutrients that are essential to our bodies. We need micronutrients for our bodies to function properly.

Good News: What we know about nutrition- foods that are nutritious (high in vitamins and minerals) tend to be lower in calories!

Lesley Jane Seymour, of More magazine, share some important tips for eating healthier in this brief interview:


The easiest way to know what to eat, and make the healthiest eating choices, is to KNOW what you're eating!
Eating fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) and lean proteins (fish and foul) are simple ways to eat healthy, without needing to figure out what those labels mean.

Traditional Japanese Nutrition: prevent disease with these 3 habits

The Japanese diet has always been healthy and more nutritious, especially when compared to Western eating. What's their secret?

Being an island, their diet relies heavily on fish. That's the first ingredient in a nutritious diet. Seafood contains omega fatty acids that contribute to such basic functions as brain activity and hormone balance. (Americans- there was a good reason your mother made you drink cod liver oil).

Next, the Japanese eat a variety of vegetables. You will notice that a bounty of fresh vegetables make up a typical Japanese meal. They are usually eaten raw or steamed, which keeps them in their most nutritious states.

Last, Consciousness plays a big role: the Japanese make their meals a personal and creative experience. They fill their plates with colorful combinations and decoratively-sculpted pieces. (Eating a variety of colors also gives your body the variety of vitamins and minerals it needs). They put time and attention into their meals. Transforming them into art masterpieces is part of the eating journal.

If Western cultures like the US used these 3 habits in their meal preparations, we could rid ourselves of many preventable diseases!

To get a "taste" of 'Tokyo Taste', the first international gastronomical summit, watch this video clip:

Eating fish: healthy or garbage?

Is the fish you're eating healthy, safe and fished from a plastic-free zone? We haven't given this much thought, but now biologists and marine explorers are discovering that what we feed on depends on what they feed on, and that's not so healthy anymore.

Watch this video to uncover the whole truth:



What can we do to avoid ingesting chemicals, plastics, and other household garbage?

1st- We must all reduce the amount of non-biodegradable trash we create. We can't turn a blind eye and think it all just "goes away". It's crucial that each individual does their part to reduce household waste.

2nd- Reduce consumption in the first place. Take all kinds of reuseable bags to the stores. Think about all of the containers, bags and packaging that we buy with every grocery market visit. Bring plenty of your own bags. Buy in bulk. Choose products with less packaging and biodegradable wrappers. Eat less.

3rd- If you are concerned about the quality of your fish, then eat less fish. To replace some of its nutrients, take fish-oil supplements. Do Not eat more red meat if you reduce fish consumption: instead, eat more beans, legumes, nuts and other healthy sources of protein.

Losing Weight with Chocolate: weight loss gets yummy

Can dark chocolate help weight loss? More research indicates chocolate contributes to eating less, losing weight, and other health benefits. Nutritionist Cynthia Sass surprises Dr. Jacques Moritz with the latest news in this video:



Other studies have shown dark chocolate's health-protecting qualities, such as:
> protecting and relaxing arteries, lowering blood pressure
> relieving hunger, inducing satiety
> effects of high antioxidants and mono-unsaturated fatty acids
> insulin control and reduction

Look Out! Don't accept impostors! Go for pure dark chocolate. Foods that contain dark chocolate, or are made with dark chocolate flavoring, will not be as healthy for you. And milk chocolate has not been proven to have the same health benefits.

Food for thought: what about research that ties the caffeine in pure cocoa to stimulating effects and weight loss? Let's look for that...

Eating healthy while saving money

If your budget is tight, you can eat healthy and save money. Watch this video to see how one couple survived on $1/day for food:



Here are some tips for eating more nutritious foods, and staying healthy, while still eating cheaply:
1) Take a multivitamin every day or every other day
2) Eat fruits and vegetables. You need them to stay healthy. To save money, buy fresh produce in bulk and immediately freeze or can what you won't eat in the first few days.
3) Drink shakes. Buy a large container of a protein shake with vitamins and minerals. Avoid "diet shakes" (their #1 ingredient is usually sugar). Instead, go for shakes aimed at muscle-building or vitamin-loading. Substitute a solid meal for a shake occasionally. They are affordable, nutritious, convenient, and yummy.
4) Trade services with a local farmer. Sometimes, you can get healthy, fresh, locally-grown food with a little sweat equity.
Offer to help in the gardens and take home some (free!) fresh vegetables. Or clean out the hen-house and enjoy (free!) fresh eggs. Spend a few hours in the sunshine picking fruit off the trees, and nibble some sweet cherries or peaches while you work.
Plus, you get deep satisfaction when you contribute to the growing of your community's food.
5) Go fishing. Catch your own food. Fishing can be calming and peaceful. And fish is healthy eating.

Chronic Pain- Eating pain into your life

If you have chronic pain, healthy eating is important. You could be eating foods that actually increase pain and inflammation. In his new book, Dr. Neal Barnard reveals which foods fight pain and which foods cause pain.

If you have arthritis or joint pain, migraines or headaches, chest pain, kidney problems, knee pain, and even cancer, it's vital to know what's in your foods.



Some foods trigger pain only if you are allergic to them, like dairy or night-shade vegetables. How can you tell? Systematically eliminate certain foods from your diet and feel if your pain decreases. For example, if you consume yogurt alot because you think it's a "healthier dairy product", you might be lactose-intolerant.

Eating foods like soda and chips, and processed meats, cause other health problems, in addition to pain and inflammatory diseases. (Note: if you have a condition that's an "-itis", that means inflammation is affecting your body)

For more information on pain relief, healthy eating, and disease prevention, Go to http://www.SupportandCoaching.com . Subscribe to their Ageless Living newsletter today!

Reduce inflammation and c-reactive proteins: don't overlook greater health problems by using statins for heart disease

The American Heart Association shares the annual conference's hottest news about statin drugs for heart disease:

According to the study, if you have high CRPs (C-Reactive Proteins), your cardiologist might consider prescribing statins. CRPs are an indication of inflammation.

Inflammation is just one indicator for disease in the body. It seems premature to prescribe a medication for heart disease if you have greater problems that might be "hiding" under the inflammation. Also, the doctor interviewed noted that they do not know the long-term effects of using statins! This should be a huge red flag!

If you have high CRPs, you should consider urgently changing your lifestyle and begin to Eat Healthier and get more Exercise.

Watch this video and cardiologist interview:


Before you consider the use of statins, Learn more about CRPs and inflammation. Weight the risks- Which is more important? Using a statin to reduce early indicators for heart disease, versus practicing Healthier Lifestyle habits (like eating more nutritious foods and getting more exercise) that will reduce inflammation and reverse the disease process.

If you choose to attack the CRPs yourself, with natural lifestyle changes, then you will prevent disease on a larger scale for yourself. And heart disease may be just one of the diseases that you can prevent!

Coffee isn't as unhealthy as some say

Coffee has been enjoyed by people of most cultures around the world. But some myths have turned people away from drinking coffee.

Learn as this medical expert clarifies the truth about coffee consumption and debunks some of the rumors about its less-healthy qualities:


Note: she was describing coffee-drinking, but not talking about drinking the 800-calorie frappuccino with extra syrup. Be careful when you order specialty coffee drinks: some beverages can contain huge amounts of calories, sugar, and even artifical/chemical sweeteners. Watch out for those hidden ingredients that destroy the healthier qualities of your cup o' joe!

Not-so-nutritious foods: do you know what you're eating?

What's really in your food? Nutrition counselors reveal the shocking facts and numbers about foods that sound nutritious but aren't.



How many calories in a meal? Enhanced kool-aid? Learn what's in your food before you eat it!