•3/4 cup raw walnuts, cashews or pecans
•1/4 cup raw carob powder
•1 cup raisins
Preparation:
Process all ingredients in a food processor until fine and sticky. Shape into balls and enjoy!
If you can't get the mixture to hold together, add a few more raisins and a tablespoon of water.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Green Tea Ingredient Could Add Years to Your Life
Green Tea Ingredient Could Add Years to Your Life
Many health claims have been made for green tea, and as with the vast majority of over-hyped fad foods and nutritional supplements, the majority of such claims will, inevitably, turn out to be overstated or false.
However, recent and ongoing clinical research continues to suggest that, at least in the laboratory environment, key chemical components of green tea (catechins) may indeed have potentially beneficial health properties. Specifically, research in the areas of cardiovascular health and cancer prevention have suggested that green tea catechins might actually be able to decrease the risk of these two top killers, although, in the interest of remaining objective, not all research in these areas has been uniformly favorable.
Now, a newly published public health study of elderly Chinese adults suggests that increased green tea intake, at least in elderly Chinese men, may be associated with a potential increase in lifespan. In this epidemiological study, just published in the British Journal of Nutrition, a total of 976 men and 1,030 women aged 65 and older were initially evaluated in 2006. In addition to daily food intake questionnaires, the blood of these research volunteers was tested for telomere length, in an effort to identify any dietary or other lifestyle factors that might be associated with lifespan-lengthening preservation of telomere length.
Telomeres can be thought of as protective “caps” at the ends of every chromosome in our body. With every division of the cells of our body, small pieces of our telomeres are lost. After a certain number of cell divisions, our cells lose their protective telomeres and die. This cumulative process of telomere loss and cell death (senescence), over the course of our lives, is thought to directly determine the potential lifespan of humans and other creatures, and has also been implicated in the process whereby many cancer cells become “immortalized.”
In addition to aging (due to cumulative telomere loss with each cell division), inflammation and other biochemical stresses (including increased dietary fat intake) on our bodies can also prematurely shorten the length of telomeres in our cells, resulting in a shortened lifespan and an increased risk of developing cancer (and, perhaps, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease as well).
Interestingly, the rate of telomere loss appears to be more rapid in men, and this is thought to be one of the most important biological factors underlying the generally shorter lifespan of men, compared to women.
Scientists can actually roughly estimate a person’s age by measuring the length of telomeres in their blood cells. Moreover, variations in telomere length between individuals can also be used as a rough guide to potential differences in lifespan between such individuals. In this innovative public health study, differences in telomere length among the 2,006 elderly research volunteers participating in this study were then matched to variations in the diets and lifestyles of these Chinese patients.
After adjusting for other health, lifestyle, and nutritional factors known to be associated with telomere length, the scientists conducting this study determined that a high level of green tea consumption was associated with longer telomeres in elderly Chinese men.
After measuring the average difference in telomere length between men who consumed the most green tea and those who consumed the least, the researchers calculated a potential lifespan difference of five years between these two groups of men (the effects of green tea length on telomere length in the elderly Chinese women was less significant in this study, however).
The researchers also determined that increased dietary fat and oil intake was also associated with a decrease in the length of telomeres in women (as has been noted in both men and women in previous studies, particularly in association with meat intake).
Therefore, in summary, the frequent consumption of green tea appears to be linked with longer telomere length, at least in elderly Chinese men. This finding suggests that, on average, such men may be approximately five years “younger,” physiologically speaking, than their same-aged counterparts who rarely drink green tea!
This study, unfortunately, did not identify the same telomere protective effect for green tea in elderly Chinese women, although this finding does not exclude the possibility that women may also derive similar benefit from regular green tea consumption.
As it is already known that males lose telomere length more rapidly than females over the course of their lives, the gender-based differences in telomere length preservation observed in this study may arise from green tea catechins’ reversal of male-specific causes of increased telomere shortening, although this has not yet been scientifically confirmed. (I should also add that Vitamin D, which has recently gained a great deal of research attention in the areas of cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well, has also been associated with telomere length preservation.)
Many health claims have been made for green tea, and as with the vast majority of over-hyped fad foods and nutritional supplements, the majority of such claims will, inevitably, turn out to be overstated or false.
However, recent and ongoing clinical research continues to suggest that, at least in the laboratory environment, key chemical components of green tea (catechins) may indeed have potentially beneficial health properties. Specifically, research in the areas of cardiovascular health and cancer prevention have suggested that green tea catechins might actually be able to decrease the risk of these two top killers, although, in the interest of remaining objective, not all research in these areas has been uniformly favorable.
Now, a newly published public health study of elderly Chinese adults suggests that increased green tea intake, at least in elderly Chinese men, may be associated with a potential increase in lifespan. In this epidemiological study, just published in the British Journal of Nutrition, a total of 976 men and 1,030 women aged 65 and older were initially evaluated in 2006. In addition to daily food intake questionnaires, the blood of these research volunteers was tested for telomere length, in an effort to identify any dietary or other lifestyle factors that might be associated with lifespan-lengthening preservation of telomere length.
Telomeres can be thought of as protective “caps” at the ends of every chromosome in our body. With every division of the cells of our body, small pieces of our telomeres are lost. After a certain number of cell divisions, our cells lose their protective telomeres and die. This cumulative process of telomere loss and cell death (senescence), over the course of our lives, is thought to directly determine the potential lifespan of humans and other creatures, and has also been implicated in the process whereby many cancer cells become “immortalized.”
In addition to aging (due to cumulative telomere loss with each cell division), inflammation and other biochemical stresses (including increased dietary fat intake) on our bodies can also prematurely shorten the length of telomeres in our cells, resulting in a shortened lifespan and an increased risk of developing cancer (and, perhaps, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease as well).
Interestingly, the rate of telomere loss appears to be more rapid in men, and this is thought to be one of the most important biological factors underlying the generally shorter lifespan of men, compared to women.
Scientists can actually roughly estimate a person’s age by measuring the length of telomeres in their blood cells. Moreover, variations in telomere length between individuals can also be used as a rough guide to potential differences in lifespan between such individuals. In this innovative public health study, differences in telomere length among the 2,006 elderly research volunteers participating in this study were then matched to variations in the diets and lifestyles of these Chinese patients.
After adjusting for other health, lifestyle, and nutritional factors known to be associated with telomere length, the scientists conducting this study determined that a high level of green tea consumption was associated with longer telomeres in elderly Chinese men.
After measuring the average difference in telomere length between men who consumed the most green tea and those who consumed the least, the researchers calculated a potential lifespan difference of five years between these two groups of men (the effects of green tea length on telomere length in the elderly Chinese women was less significant in this study, however).
The researchers also determined that increased dietary fat and oil intake was also associated with a decrease in the length of telomeres in women (as has been noted in both men and women in previous studies, particularly in association with meat intake).
Therefore, in summary, the frequent consumption of green tea appears to be linked with longer telomere length, at least in elderly Chinese men. This finding suggests that, on average, such men may be approximately five years “younger,” physiologically speaking, than their same-aged counterparts who rarely drink green tea!
This study, unfortunately, did not identify the same telomere protective effect for green tea in elderly Chinese women, although this finding does not exclude the possibility that women may also derive similar benefit from regular green tea consumption.
As it is already known that males lose telomere length more rapidly than females over the course of their lives, the gender-based differences in telomere length preservation observed in this study may arise from green tea catechins’ reversal of male-specific causes of increased telomere shortening, although this has not yet been scientifically confirmed. (I should also add that Vitamin D, which has recently gained a great deal of research attention in the areas of cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well, has also been associated with telomere length preservation.)
Monday, September 7, 2009
8-Minute Meal Machine- Bullet Express
I am so excited to give a fantastic review to a product I purchased from television. The Bullet Express hands down is the absolute best machine I have ever owned. I have made sweet potato pizza crust, raw gourmet cookies, raw apple pie, pints and pints of fresh carrot, celery apple juice and phenomenal salads with this one machine. The juicer part of the machine is fantastic. We are able to put an entire apple into the machine and it amazing becomes fresh apple juice in seconds. No peeling, no cutting, absolutely no work involved whatsoever outside of washing the apple. I love to make raw treats for my family. My most recent one was an instant hit and the work was minimal thanks to this outstanding machine.
This morning my husband made fresh peach, pear, blackberry, strawberry apple juice with this dynamite machine. Kudos to the maker of the bullet express!
The machine can be viewed at http://www.bulletexpress.com/.
This morning my husband made fresh peach, pear, blackberry, strawberry apple juice with this dynamite machine. Kudos to the maker of the bullet express!
The machine can be viewed at http://www.bulletexpress.com/.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Granola Gourmet Bars
I was just watching Shark Tank on ABC and I saw a man pitching to the sharks about his Granola Gourmet Bars. He currently sells them in Whole Foods Market (Southern California) and online. I plan to order these bars and try them right away. I will post my review as soon as I have had an opportunity to try them out. These bars are marketed to diabetics as they are very low in sugar. I am not diabetic, but I do not eat foods high in sugar. These bars are 60% organic and contain no preservatives. You can check them out at granolagourmet.com.
Brownie
Product Ingredients: Organic Oats, Semi-Sweet Chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin – an emulsifier, vanilla), Raw Organic Blue Agave, Honey, Banana Chips (Banana, Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Natural Flavor), Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Flaxseeds, Almonds, Olive Oil, Organic Cocoa Powder, Natural Vanilla Flavoring
CONTAINS: NUTS
Chocolate Espresso
Product Ingredients: Organic Oats, Semi-Sweet Chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin – an emulsifier, vanilla), Raw Organic Blue Agave, Honey, Banana Chips (Banana, Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Natural Flavor), Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Flaxseeds, Almonds, Olive Oil, Organic Cocoa Powder, Coffee, Natural Vanilla Flavoring
CONTAINS: NUTS
Spiced Orange Cranberry
Product Ingredients: Organic Oats, Dried fruit: Dried Cranberries (Cranberries, apple juice concentrate, sunflower oil), Raw Organic Blue Agave, Honey, Sunflower Seed Kernels, Organic Flaxseeds, Almonds, Olive Oil, Cinnamon, Natural Orange Flavoring
CONTAINS: NUTS
Very Berry
Product Ingredients: Organic Oats, Raw Organic Blue Agave, Honey, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Flaxseeds, Almonds, Dried Blueberries (Blueberries, Apple Juice Concentrate, Sunflower oil), Dried Strawberries (Strawberries, Apple Juice Concentrate, Sunflower oil), Olive Oil, Natural Vanilla Flavoring
CONTAINS: NUTS
Brownie
Product Ingredients: Organic Oats, Semi-Sweet Chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin – an emulsifier, vanilla), Raw Organic Blue Agave, Honey, Banana Chips (Banana, Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Natural Flavor), Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Flaxseeds, Almonds, Olive Oil, Organic Cocoa Powder, Natural Vanilla Flavoring
CONTAINS: NUTS
Chocolate Espresso
Product Ingredients: Organic Oats, Semi-Sweet Chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin – an emulsifier, vanilla), Raw Organic Blue Agave, Honey, Banana Chips (Banana, Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Natural Flavor), Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Flaxseeds, Almonds, Olive Oil, Organic Cocoa Powder, Coffee, Natural Vanilla Flavoring
CONTAINS: NUTS
Spiced Orange Cranberry
Product Ingredients: Organic Oats, Dried fruit: Dried Cranberries (Cranberries, apple juice concentrate, sunflower oil), Raw Organic Blue Agave, Honey, Sunflower Seed Kernels, Organic Flaxseeds, Almonds, Olive Oil, Cinnamon, Natural Orange Flavoring
CONTAINS: NUTS
Very Berry
Product Ingredients: Organic Oats, Raw Organic Blue Agave, Honey, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Flaxseeds, Almonds, Dried Blueberries (Blueberries, Apple Juice Concentrate, Sunflower oil), Dried Strawberries (Strawberries, Apple Juice Concentrate, Sunflower oil), Olive Oil, Natural Vanilla Flavoring
CONTAINS: NUTS
Friday, September 4, 2009
Carl Lewis Vegetarian
Here is a video from a great Vegetarian Athelete Carl Lewis.
My husband will be seeing him Wednesday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOTETXwfIaY
My husband will be seeing him Wednesday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOTETXwfIaY
Earthclinic.com
I recently happened across the most informative site online for alternative therapy/holistic cure/folk remedies. The site is Earthclinic.com. On this site, actual people who have experimented with alternative/holistic therapies speak of their experiences. This site even has information on holistically treating your pet. If you are suffering from a non-life threatening ailment, this site may be worth your time. It is very interesting to read about real life personal medical success stories. I encourage you to check it out.
Kind Bars
My husband called me at work a few weeks ago and told me I had to order some Kind bars. He was standing in the airport and was enjoying each and every bite of his Kind Walnut Date bar. I decided to search for these bars and was delighted to find that Amazon.com sells them for $10.10 for 8 bars. My kids absolutely love them. I have posted the nutrition information below for the fruit and nut bars.
Product DescriptionAll natural. Always. All natural ingredients; Gluten free; Wheat free; Dairy free; Low GI (GI value 54); Good source of fiber; Cholesterol free; Non GMO; No sulphur dioxide; No trans fat; Very low in sodium. Made in Australia.
Made from 100% natural peanuts, almonds, raisins, and apricots.
Dairy, wheat, and gluten-free, non GMO, no cholesterol or trans fat; three grams of fiber and five grams of protein per serving
Product DescriptionAll natural. Always. All natural ingredients; Gluten free; Wheat free; Dairy free; Low GI (GI value 54); Good source of fiber; Cholesterol free; Non GMO; No sulphur dioxide; No trans fat; Very low in sodium. Made in Australia.
Made from 100% natural peanuts, almonds, raisins, and apricots.
Dairy, wheat, and gluten-free, non GMO, no cholesterol or trans fat; three grams of fiber and five grams of protein per serving
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