5 Foods To Help Improve Your Mood!

Did you know that some foods can actually help improve your mood. Here are 5 great foods that can help you feel both healthy and happy!

1. Salmon
This fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids which is important for brain health and can help lift your mood as well as improve your memory. Also salmon is rich in the vitamin B12 which research shows may help in production of serotonin. Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters responsible for good mood. 


2. Eggs
Egg yolks are one of only a few food sources of vitamin D. We get most of our vitamin D from the sun, but during the winter months a lack of sunshine can lead to a vitamin D deficiency and mood related disorders such as seasonal affective disorder and depression. Eggs are also rich in B-vitamins which can help the way the neurotransmitters of the brain send signals, which helps govern mood.


3. Turkey
Turkey contains the two amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine. These can help make important neurotransmitters that help control your mood including serotonin, dopamine, and and norepinephrine.


4. Chocolate
It may not be a coincidence if you tend to reach for chocolate when you are feeling blue! The combination of mood-elevating chemicals found in chocolate, such caffeine, theobromine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, reallly can help make you happier!

5. Walnuts
Walnuts, along with most other nuts and seeds, are a good source of magnesium which influences production of serotonin. A lack of magnesium may cause depression, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia so it's important that we get enough. It also effects overall energy levels.

 
                                                              

A Few Reasons Goji Berries Are One Of The Healthiest Foods You Can Eat!

Gogi berries are one of the most nutrient-rich foods on earth. Here are just a few reasons you might want to include this super food in your diet!

1. Goji berries are a rich source of vitamin A and beta-carotene. Beta carotene is an important carotenoid found in food. It is a powerful antioxidant that can be converted by the body into vitamin A. Vitamin A is very important your health, especially your vision. It is responsible for the orange color of vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes. Because of its antioxidant properties beta carotene is thought to have powerful anti-cancer properties. It is also believed to help enhance the immune system. Beta carotene can also help protect your skin from sun damage.

2. Goji berries are a good source of fiber. Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system.

3. Multiple studies have shown that they may significantly improve the immune system. They have been shown to reduce tumors and protect cells from damage.

4. Goji berries can slow aging. They are high in antioxidants which help protect the cells from damaging free radicals that accelerate the aging process.

5. Research suggests that goji berries may boost brain health. They may boost memory and learning ability as well as protect against diseases such as Alzheimer's.

A Few Reasons Oatmeal Is So Good For You!

Oats are a great source of fiber. They contain both insoluble and soluble fiber. The insoluble fiber in oatmeal benefits the digestive system. Insoluble fiber also may help prevent cancer by attacking certain bile acids and reducing their toxicity.

Oats are also rich in the soluble fiber known as beta-glucan which helps lower cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Beta-glutans also enhance the immune system by activating microphages, a type of white blood cells that destroy fungi and bacteria. Beta-glutans may even help to kill cancer cells.

Oats also contain vitamin E, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and selenium, all of which are important for our health.

Oats also contain protein. In fact, oatmeal has more protein than any other popular breakfast cereal.

It's worth noting that the type of oatmeal you buy is important. Forget the instant packs or highly processed stuff. The less processing, the higher the fiber, the less added sugar, and the better the oatmeal is for you!

Oatmeal is also a perfect food to mix with other super healthy foods such as berries, apples, pumpkin, or certain spices.

Eat Groovy Book Recommendation: The 150 Heathiest Foods on Earth!

I got a new nutrition book for Christmas this year that I can't stop reading. It's called "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth" by Jonnny Bowden. It's packed with tons of great information and this guy really knows what he's talking about! The fact that I share a similar opinions with him about some of the more controversial food categories (i.e. dairy and wheat) makes me love it even more. Check out the Amazon link if you want to learn more!

5 Strange Home Remedies Involving Potatoes

Do all of these remedies actually work? Maybe not, but hopefully you find them as interesting as I did!

1. The Incas placed potatoes on broken bones to help healing.

2. Warm potatoes have been often used as warm compress to treat sties. The potato is said to draw the infection out of the eye.

3. Drinking freshly squeezed potato juice first thing in the morning has been said to help with gas.

4. Washing your face with cool potato juice is is said to clean up blemishes.

5. Carrying a potato in your pocket was thought to cure toothaches.

3 Great Reasons For Women To Eat Green Beans!

1. Green beans are a good source of folate. Folate (also called folic acid) is an important B vitamin that is especially important in preventing birth defects. It is also helpful in boosting energy and increasing red blood cell formation.

2. Green beans are a great source of vitamin K. Vitamin K is especially important in blood clotting and helping the body heal from wounds or injuries. It's also important in building and maintaining strong and healthy bones.

3. Green bean can help to alleviate PMS symptoms. This is because they are rich in manganese which can alleviate PMS symptoms such as irritability and mood swings. It also helps your body to better absorb other nutrients.

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Tomatoes

1. In a part of Spain, there's an annual tradition of pelting tomatoes at your neighbors called "La Tomatina."

2. In 1893, the U.S. Supreme Court legally classified the tomato as a vegetable because it's used as one. It's actually a fruit.

3. Drinking tomato juice, and bathing in it, has been advocated for skin disorders such as eczema.

4. The Aztecs made the first salsa - tomatoes prepared with peppers, corn, and salt.

5. Tomato leaves are poisonous.

5 Fun Facts About Pecans

1. The name "pecan" is a Native American word that was used to describe nuts requiring a stone to crack.

2. The pecan capital of the world is Albany, Georgia, which boasts more than 600,000 pecan trees.

3. Over 80% of the world's pecan crop comes from the United States.

4. Pecan trees only produce nuts every two years.

5. The pecan pie was created by French people who had settled in New Orleans.

3 Things You May Not Know About Arugula!

1. Ancient Egyptians and Romans considered arugula to be an aphrodisiac.

2. Although arugula and spinach both contain calcium, arugula is lower in oxalates, which can inhibit the calcium absorption.

3. One cup of arugula contains only 5 calories and is very nutritious making it an especially great choice for those counting calories or watching their weight.

3 Amazing Health Benefits Of Artichokes!

1. Artichokes are great for the liver. They are a great source of the flavonoid silymarin. This powerful antioxidant is believed to help nourish and protect the liver. Artichoke extract has been prescribed to those with liver problems for centuries.

2. Artichokes can help indigestion. Studies have shown that chemicals in artichoke leaves can reduce symptoms of abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic gastrointestinal upset.

3. Artichokes contain powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants help to protect the body from damaging free radicals which can cause disease and accelerate aging. Artichokes are one of the highest antioxidant containing vegetables.

Cooking Oils: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

With all of the different oils out there, it can be frustrating to figure out which ones are healthy and which ones should be avoided. How can vegetable oil be bad for you, when vegetables themselves are some of the best foods you can eat? And what is so great about olive oil? In general, the healthiest oils to cook with are the ones with the highest smoke points because this is where potentially unhealthy compounds are formed and nutrients are destroyed. Here are some things you should know.

The Good (These Are The Healthy Ones!)

1) Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Monounsaturated fats such as olive oil help to keep LDL (bad cholesterol) low and increase HDL (good cholesterol). Also, extra virgin olive oil is high omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants which help to prevent disease and slow aging.

2) Canola Oil- Although canola oil doesn't have the antioxidant power of olive oil, its high smoke point still makes it a relatively healthy choice. Also, canola oil is generally low in saturated fats and high in omega-3 fatty acids which have been linked to heart health. Although olive oil is considered healthier, canola oil may be a better choice when the stronger flavor of olive oil makes it less desirable for what you are cooking or baking.

The Bad (Try Not To Use These Very Often!)

1) Most Other Vegetable Oils Including Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, and Sunflower Oil -Although these are mostly polyunsaturated fats which are typically considered heart-healthy, the problem is that the smoke point is low enough that unhealthy and damaging chemicals may form during cooking. This may increase the amount of damaging and disease causing free radicals in your body. Also, they are usually highly processed.


The Ugly (Avoid These As Much As Possible!)

1) Palm Oil - The high ratio of saturated fat that palm oil contains makes it one of the least healthy options. It may raise the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol.


2) Any Oil That Is "Partially Hydrogenated" -Try to avoid any foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils or trans fats. Trans fats are even worse for you than saturated fats. This is because while both saturated fats and trans fats can raise levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), trans fats also lower HDL (good cholesterol). Trans fats have also been linked to obesity.

Why You Should Avoid Trans Fats

Trans fats are created from unsaturated fats when they are put through the hydrogenation process. Partial hydrogenation makes fats more shelf stable (i.e. helps food last longer before spoiling) but unfortunately trans fats have been shown to be very harmful to our health.

Studies have shown that trans fats raise levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) in the body, while also lowering HDL (good cholesterol). This increases the risk for heart disease, one of the leading causes of death for both men and women.  Trans fats are even worse for you than saturated fats. This is because while both saturated fats and trans fats can raise levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), trans fats also lower HDL (good cholesterol). Trans fats have also been linked to obesity.

4 Things To Know About Coconut Oil

1. Coconut oil can make a good cooking ingredient because it is more stable at high heats compared to other oils. This makes it less susceptible to heat-induced damage. Most other oils go toxic at cooking heats, creating free radicals which lead to quicker aging and disease.

2. Coconut oil may increase your metabolism. While most fats contain long chain fatty acids, coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids which are more easily digested and converted into energy

3. Coconut oil contains lauric acid which strengthens your immune system. Lauric acid is converted into monolaurin in the body which helps destroy bacteria and funguses. With the exception of breast milk, coconut oil is the only source of lauric acid.

4. Coconut oil can be used as a skin moisturizer. It can soothe the skin, slow aging, and even offers some protection against sun damage. It can be used on the scalp to help treat dandruff.