Subtle tastes of natural food

Are vegetables too bland for you? If you cannot appreciate the subtle tastes and fragrances of natural food, it's because your taste buds are used to the strong flavors of processed foods. Strong tastes do exist in nature. Sweet honey, bitter cocoa, tangy limes and pungent spices and herbs. But in processed food, such flavors are concentrated and packed together to overpower our taste buds; the extremely spicy taste in Dorito chips doesn't exist in any natural food cooked with such spices. Stuffed with sugar, salt, and saturated fat, processed foods like chips, burgers, colas, desserts, are not only terrible for health, but they numb our taste buds so much that we find it difficult to appreciate the subtle tastes of natural food.



Sugary colas get us addicted to sweet tastes. We can no longer appreciate the natural taste of freshly squeezed fruit juices, unless they have added sugars and artificial flavors. For health reasons some of us switch from sugary colas to sugar free colas, but they also have artificial sweeteners to keep us addicted. Americans eat 31 percent more processed food than fresh food and in Britain, Fiona Reynolds, director of the National Trust, says: "Taste is something we're losing, because too many of our meals are packed with additives and flavourings. And because many of us don’t see food production for ourselves, we’re losing contact with where food comes from – and its distinctive taste."



If you regularly tuck into desserts and ice creams, how can you ever enjoy the mildly sweet and crunchy carrots? The subtle tastes of natural food also leave an impact on the mind, because the taste buds are connected to the brain, and different flavors and scents affect different parts of the brain. "We are learning that the same diet of saturated fats and processed foods that are bad for the heart also can be bad for the mind," said neurologist Marwan Sabbagh, chief medical/scientific officer at Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City, and associate director of the Arizona Alzheimer's Disease Core Center. "What you eat matters, and that includes how you spice your food."

One way of re-training your taste buds for the subtle tastes of natural foods, is to eat them as soups, stews and smoothies. Take a break from eating processed stuff, and you'll discover the flavors of natural food.

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Vegetarian sources of protein

People are increasingly eating many kinds of vegetarian meals in their diets. Many of us are now flexitarian: people who have a mostly vegetarian diet, with the occasional consumption of animal flesh. Opponents of such vegetarian or flexitarian diets believe that they lack in protein and iron, but this is not true. There are excellent vegetarian sources of protein like pulses, grains, nuts, which also contain iron. Combining meals based on grains and pulses, with leafy green vegetables, will give you the more than enough iron.

1. Pulses: the most concentrated vegetarian source of protein. In the pulses family, beans of all varieties have the highest amount of protein (24g or more in one cup), followed by peas, and lentils (14g in one cup).
2. Grains: Quinoa grain is the highest in protein content, followed by oats, whole wheat, brown rice, rye etc.
3. Whey: this is the liquid leftover after cheese is made from milk, which is then sold as protein powder or concentrates. "Whey protein is a natural, high-quality dairy protein derived from milk, and a complete protein that contains all the amino acids the body requires for muscle protein synthesis," says Matthew Pikosky, of the Dairy Research Institute, Rosemont, Illinois.
4. Yogurt: this is among the best vegetarian sources of protein made from dairy, because it also contains essential vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. Organic Greek yogurt by Oikos is thick and has 46% protein in one 227g cup:
   

The other less concentrated vegetarian sources of protein are milk, eggs, and nuts. Cheese also has protein but carries the health risk of saturated fat, while egg consumption should be limited among older teens and adults. Nuts have some protein but should be eaten more for the beneficial unsaturated fat (omega oils), which is good for the body, and makes our skin glow and hair shine. Peanuts alone have high amounts of protein and can be eaten raw, either as snacks or peanut butter.

How to cook vegetarian sources of protein

It's really the pulses and grains that require to be cooked before eating. One way to eat them raw is to have sprouted grains, pulses, and seeds, lightly sauté them, and eat as snacks or salads. Another way is to make soup or stew out of the pulses; beans of course have to be soaked overnight before they can be cooked. Grains usually become flour for bread, but they can be boiled or steamed, and combined with pulses for a wholesome meal.

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Ultimate fighting vegetarian

Jake Shields, a mixed martial arts fighter, makes his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on October 23. Muscular and athletic Jake is a vegetarian and says that there are many fighting vegetarians: "Actually, a lot of people I train with are vegetarians. Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz. More people around me are starting to cut out the meat, seeing how good I perform being a vegetarian." But Shields is not a vegan because he eats animal products like dairy and eggs. In an interview with USA Today Jake Shields talks of his prospects in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and his vegetarianism:

What's the impetus for your vegetarianism?

One, I feel really healthy and really clean this way.

I'm not a preachy kind person, but. ... if you watch videos of all those slaughterhouses and the way everything's raised, to me that's just gross. It's not something I want to be a part of.

Like I said, I don't try to preach to others the way I live. For me, it doesn't seem right, so I just choose to be a vegetarian.

So when other fighters ingest a lot of protein for muscle building and fitness, I gather you're not in that.

I don't really add any extra protein. Look at Brock Lesnar, wasn't he in the hospital for six months or something like that for some kind of stomach disease for eating too much meat?

He suffered from an intestinal problem.

Exactly. So much for all that protein. But hey, he is a big, strong guy. But I feel like I'm strong. Actually, a lot of people I train with are vegetarians. Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz. More people around me are starting to cut out the meat, seeing how good I perform being a vegetarian.

How much of your vegetarian outlook has been influenced by living in the strong counterculture environment of northern California?

Yeah, I live in San Francisco, so here, it seems like normal, I guess. A lot of places, probably not. Here, there's vegetarian restaurants, vegan restaurants, vegetarian oases. It is kind of crazy. It seems like almost half of my friends are vegetarians now.

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Neck pain treatments

Neck pain has become endemic due to the modern lifestyle, where a lot of time is spent sitting; in front of a computer, watching TV, playing video games, or driving a car. Stiffness because of poor posture is only one reason for neck pain. Sleeping in a peculiar position may cause a trapped nerve in the neck or shoulders, and you wake up with a pain in the neck. Turning your head too fast or whiplash from an accident or sporting injury also cause trapped nerves in the neck and shoulders. Anxiety and depression can also cause physical reactions like unconsciously keeping the muscles tense, which then causes pain. Large breasted women also get neck pain, as a result of posture problems. There are a variety of treatments for chronic neck pain.

For most people neck pain and stiffness lasts a few hours; but for others it can go on for days or weeks. Prevention remains the best medicine, and regular exercise which includes stretching and strengthening the joints and muscles, is essential. Another way to prevent neck pain from poor posture is to take breaks from working on the computer or laptop. The human head weighs 10 pounds, and the muscles and joints of the neck are strained when we sit in a "forward head" position while working on the computer. Walk a little and stretch a little in a few minutes of breaks every hour.

Heat therapy and massage are considered generic treatments for neck pain. In severe cases of chronic pain, a physician should be consulted, but another alternative is available in chiropractors. October is National Chiropractic Month and chiropractic care is used for treating neuromusculoskeletal problems which include back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and headaches. Chiropractors usually use their hands in order to manipulate the joints of the body especially the spine in order to decrease pain, restore or enhance joint functioning. Such manipulations hardly ever cause any pain.



Yoga is one of the best do-it-yourself treatments for pain in the neck, or in any other part of the body. Yoga teaches proper alignment and posture, stretches muscles that are tight, strengthens muscles that are weak, and improves joint mobility. The specific yoga exercises for neck pain treatment are neck stretch and neck release. Neck stretching can be done while seated; slowly turning you head and touching each shoulder with the chin, then stretching it back and then taking it down to touch the chest. The operative word here is SLOWLY. Neck release is done while lying down on your back; the feet are anchored to the floor but the knees are raised. Slowly rock your head from side to side and feel the kinks in your neck melting away.

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Adriana Lima workout tips

Brazilian supermodel, and Victoria's Secret icon, Adriana Lima had her baby Valentina last year but was back in modeling shape in a few months. Adriana is one of the many models and actresses who are into boxing as a workout but could not continue her workouts during her pregnancy. Lima told Hola Brasil: "I tried, but with the nausea and pre-eclampsia [workouts] were impossible. In the end, I could not move - and if I moved from the room to the kitchen, literally ten steps, I felt as if I'd run a marathon. I could not sleep, sit, or stay standing. I would get tired whatever I did. But even though it was a difficult pregnancy, it was worth it."



Left, Adriana Lima and her gorgeous body, wrapped tight in Victoria's Secret clothing from their latest collection. Right, Adriana Lima back in June 2010, posing with baby Valentina in her kitchen for Hola Brasil. Adriana is wearing a Christian Dior outfit and Christian Louboutin shoes. Although she looked incredible, Lima told the magazine that getting back in shape was difficult because she couldn't workout at all during her pregnancy: "I was very sick! It was not an easy pregnancy. I got sick for five months. And I had pre-eclampsia, Valentina was born so early."

Adriana had trainers and assistants to give her workout tips, and she told Style List that she started to get in shape with some rope jumping: "The first time I tried jump roping, I couldn't last past three minutes. But my advice is to not give up. When you're trying to lose weight, doing something is better than nothing. Jump rope for three minutes, and slowly, you will get stronger and be able to do it longer." This was important to up her metabolism and burn off the fat she had put on, after that Lima moved on to more intense boxing, telling Hola Brasil: I gained a lot, about 18 pounds. It was not easy to lose them. About 45 days after birth, I started boxing training again. But I'm a mother, and leaving home for one or two hours to go to the gym is not easy."



In 2008 Adriana Lima wore the diamond encrusted "Fantasy Bra" for that year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Last year she missed the show because of her pregnancy and Marisa Miller got to wear the Fantasy Bra. Adriana Lima will take part in this year's show, which airs November 30 at 10pm on CBS, and she will wear the $2 million Fantasy Bra. The photo above of Adriana Lima in the Fantasy Bra covered in white diamonds was released this week. With her gorgeous body, photogenic face, and popularity, Lima plans to stick with modeling. When asked about her acting ambitions, Adriana told Hola Brasil: "I would like to study acting, first. I had some lessons and learned a lot, but I stopped because I would like to focus on one thing at a time. The transition to becoming an actress is difficult. You'll be seen as a pretty girl, and I do not want that."

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Three eggs a week rule

October 8 was "World Egg Day" and industries associated with this product tried to bring awareness on the affordability and nutritional value of eggs. "Being the most accessible, affordable and easy to prepare food, our unwarranted assistance with marketing materials for these proteins demonstrates our commitment to the industry," stated Scott Carter, Global Market Manager, Poultry, Novus International. But the truth is that one egg only has 6 grams of protein, while a cup of lentils or beans provides more than 24 grams of protein! What eggs have going for them is that they are tasty and easy to cook. Most people still follow the three eggs a week rule, because of the cholesterol content of the egg yolk. But research done last year shows that eggs have less blame for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and other health problems, than the other foods that they are eaten with:



The healthiest food on this girl's plate are the beans. The traditional British breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausages, and buttered toast, is unhealthy not because of the eggs, but from the high saturated fat in the bacon and sausage. Victoria Taylor, a senior dietitian with the British Heart Foundation says: "We recommend that eggs can be eaten as part of a balanced diet. There is cholesterol present in eggs but this does not usually make a great contribution to your level of blood cholesterol. If you need to reduce your cholesterol level it is more important that you cut down on the amount of saturated fat in your diet from foods like fatty meat."

Apart from a little protein, eggs also have some vitamins and nutrients like lutein and choline, which are good for children. But even the British Heart Foundation does not recommend more than one egg a day, certainly not for older teens and adults. People still consider it safe to restrict themselves to three eggs a week. Some of the famous athletes and celebrities concerned about their fitness and diet like Danica Patrick, Rihanna, and Luisana Lopilato keep away the cholesterol altogether and eat only egg whites. As long as the rest of our diet is heavy in sugar and saturated animal fat, it's sensible to keep egg consumption limited.

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Addicted to sugar free colas?

The earliest sugar free carbonated drink: the Coca Cola "Tab". This saccharine-flavored Coke substitute was launched in the 1960s and advertised as a way to stay in shape while enjoying the taste of Coca Cola. What this means is that for the last 50 years the cola industry has known that sugary drinks make people obese.....it's not a new discovery. "Coca-Cola, like other sodas, causes enormous suffering and premature death by increasing the risks of obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, gout, and cavities," says Harvard University nutrition expert Dr. Walter Willett. So why didn't people of our parents' generation just stop drinking colas? Why didn't they stop their children from getting addicted to regular Coke and Pepsi?

Their thinking may have been: "If I get too fat, I'll just switch to diet Coke or diet Pepsi." The caffeine in regular colas makes them addictive, plus we get addicted to the sweet taste, and the diet versions pretend to give us that taste without the calories. But if you drink too much of the sugar free colas, like two or three cans daily, the Aspartame in them builds up inside your body and causes other health risks.



Australian actress Sophie Monk sips on some sugar free Pepsi Max, a drink which is actually meant for guys! Rolled out in 1993, Pepsi Max dominated the young men's market [age 24 to 34], until their rival company launched Coke Zero for the same age group in 2005. The question is: why do grown men need to consume a carbonated drink? They don't. But from childhood they become addicted to the stuff and switch over to sugar free versions when they're adults. Neither regular colas nor the sugar free ones are any good for us. Thankfully they are gradually being banned from schools, but we need to ban them from our homes. Get kids addicted to the taste of milk, fruit juices, or healthy smoothies!

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Regular self exams of breasts

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Regular self exams of breasts and clinical breast exams each year, are essential for the detection of breast cancer in young women. Breast cancer is the most common disease among women in the United States, but fortunately it is treatable, and there are approximately 2.5 million breast cancer survivors. To reduce your chances of developing breast cancer, young women must eat a diet low in saturated animal fat, and high in fiber; avoid smoking and excessive alcohol; and exercise regularly. Breast self exams should be done once a month, a few days after the last day of your period, while clinical breast exams are done by health professionals once each year. After the age of 40 yearly mammograms are essentials. According to breast surgeon Dr. Maria Palafox: "If a cancer is close to the surface of your breast, you may feel a lump, or the skin may dimple, or have an orange-peel appearance. The skin can look inflamed, like an infection, with inflammatory breast cancer. Breast pain is NOT a sign of breast cancer."

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