Tag: healthy foods

Foods, Health and Disease

HWA – WATERMELON

HWA - Health and Wellness Associates

WATERMELON

One of the fun things about watermelon is how many ways there are to serve and eat it! Cutting your watermelon a different way can make it fresh and new for children, family, friends, or even yourself.

OMG you never knew it was possible to carve up a watermelon like this… Plus two more fruit cutting tricks!
On every level, including biochemically, melon is exactly what our bodies need. Melons are essentially balls of purified water. This highly active fluid binds onto poisons of all kinds in the body, including mold, mycotoxins, viral neurotoxins, undigested protein toxins, ammonia gas, and bacterial toxins, flushing them out to allow the immune system to restore itself. Further, the fruit’s high electrolyte content helps protect the brain and the rest of the nervous system from stress-related strokes, aneurysms, and embolisms. Melon thins the blood and reduces heart attack risk, helps prevent heart disease and vascular issues, and can even reduce liver and kidney disease—if someone is suffering from liver or kidney malfunction, melon can mean the difference between life and death. The water in melon is nearly identical to our blood, and its sodium, potassium, and glucose are also abundant and bioavailable, making melon one of the most hydrating foods you can eat. This hydration is critical, as it helps to lower high blood pressure, among other benefits.
Juice Press: 15 Things You Didn't Know About Watermelon
Melon is one of the most alkalizing foods. The fruit’s highly bioavailable and bioactive trace mineral count is responsible for driving electrolytes higher than normal, making them easily usable by the body. In return, the body’s detoxification processes become amplified, driving out traces of DDT, other pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals from deep within the organs. High in silica, melon is an excellent food to restore ligaments, joints, bones, teeth, connective tissue, and tendons. Melon is also one of the most powerful glucose balancers, working to prevent insulin resistance and lower elevated A1C levels

Tip: Remember to eat melon on an empty stomach to avoid a stomachache from this predigested food getting held up in your gut by slower-digesting foods. Melon is an ideal breakfast food (after celery juice if you drink it) for this reason.

    • We are in this Together!-

      -People Start to Heal The Moment They Are Heard-

      Health and Wellness Associates

      EHS Telehealth

      REVIEWED BY DR Anne Sullivan

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Foods, Health and Disease

HWA – RHEUMAROID ARTHRITIS – THE CURE – Diet

HWA - Health and Wellness Associates

Eating healthy is more than just lip service if you’re dealing with pain and stiffness in your joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis. A smart eating plan helps keep your weight in check and boosts your overall health, giving you an edge on this challenging condition. True, your diet can cure RA, and easy changes to what you eat can make you feel a little better, why wouldn’t you? Take a look at what the research shows about foods that can help reduce inflammation and raise your energy levels, starting now.

How Does Diet Impact Rheumatoid Arthritis?

There’s more and more clinical evidence to support the idea that specific foods can help treat RA, and there are many people with the disease who swear what they eat affects how they feel. In one study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 25% of RA patients were convinced certain foods made their arthritis symptoms better or worse. (Blueberries and spinach topped the list of feel-better foods while sugary sodas and desserts took honors for the worst.)

Here are a few ways diet may impact RA:

  • Body weight: RA patients have a higher risk of obesity (and all the metabolic complications that go along with it), and if you’re obese you’re less likely respond to medical treatment compared to someone at a healthy weight. A healthy body weight also improves your odds of achieving remission and puts less pressure on your already achy joints.
  • Heart disease risk: “Heart smart” isn’t just a cute phrase for RA sufferers, who are twice as likely as the general population to suffer heart problems. It’s not totally clear why, but it could be that the systemic inflammation due to RA causes swelling of the arteries that lead to the heart. Following a heart-healthy diet is key.
  • Inflammation: Medical researchers believe an excess of inflammatory molecules called prostaglandins may contribute to RA. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish, nuts, and plant oils, have anti-inflammatory effects that may interfere with the formation of these molecules.
  • Immune system: A diet rich in antioxidants gives your immune system the support it needs to fight the disease and may help reduce the chance of infection.
  • Gut health: If you have RA, you know all about GI problems like bloating and nausea. Inflammation and impaired immunity likely play a role in your gassy gut, as do some common RA medications. In addition, certain imbalances in the gut microbiome have been linked to RA. A healthy diet is the first step to restoring order in the GI tract.

What Is the Best Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Unless you have a doctor who can take the time to go over a diet just for you, than your doc will probably tell you to eat a generally healthy diet. That means go easy on the red meat and processed foods and load up on fresh fruit, leafy greens, lean proteins, and whole grains.  Some studies show that these specific types of diets can be beneficial to easing RA symptoms.

Mediterranean Diet

Ah, the famous Med diet, full of fish, whole grains, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Don’t you feel better just reading about it? Seriously, this approach has been shown to help lower inflammation, likely due to the omega-3 fatty acids found in nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish. In one randomized controlled trial from Sweden, RA patients who followed a Mediterranean diet for three months had fewer symptoms and better quality of life. Bonus: The Mediterranean diet is good for your heart, too.

Vegan / Vegetarian

It’s cool and trendy, and it also works: Several small studies suggest that avoiding animal products may help reduce inflammation and ease RA flares. What’s more, vegans and vegetarians are less likely to be overweight than meat eaters, and they have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels (markers of heart health), too. On the flip side, plant-only eaters can have lower levels of vitamins B12 (key for energy), calcium, and vitamin D (vital for bone health). If you’re thinking about going vegan or vegetarian, talk with your doctor and a registered dietitian first, and keep an eye on your vitamin levels.

Intermittent Fasting

Also in the trend du jour camp, this approach seems to have legs: Research shows that going for multiple hours without eating may improve RA symptoms. Fasting may help “reset” the immune system by eliminating damaged cells and replacing them with new ones. Bummer though, RA patients tend to relapse upon returning to a normal eating pattern. Think of fasting as a short-term treatment, not a long-term solution.

Anti-inflammatory foods for RA include fatty fish, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil

Anti-Inflammatory Foods That Fight RA

We’re now going to tell you that certain foods can ease symptoms  . Load up on these inflammation-reducing options, this is not just a once in awhile method, these are daily foods that are a must.

  • Fatty fish: Cold-water fish—the kind high in omega-3 fats—are perhaps the most promising food in the fight against inflammation. In another Brigham and Women’s Hospital study, RA patients who ate non-fried fish two or more times a week had lower disease activity than those who never ate fish. Cold-water fatty fish include salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, mackerel, and trout.
  • Fruits and vegetables: Antioxidant-rich produce (like blueberries and cherries) are great for stabilizing the “free radicals” that trigger inflammation. They’re also packed with polyphenols, which may help lower C-reactive protein. Cover your nutritional bases by eating a bunch of different colors every day.
  • Whole grains: Whole grains lower levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) and reduce heart disease risk (elevated in people with RA). They’re also rich in selenium, which you might be low in if you have RA, and fiber, which has been shown to reduce inflammation. Choose oats, whole wheat, white rice, quinoa. (brown rice is processed with arsenic )
  • Legumes: These high-protein, low-fat foods are rich in folic acid, magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium—all good for your heart and immune system. Black, garbanzo, and red kidney beans and black-eyed peas are good choices.
  • Nuts: Your favorite snack also happens to be full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Walnuts are especially good because they’re also high in omega-3s. Feeling adventurous? Try pine nuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts, too.
  • Olive oil: In addition to healthy fats, this oil contains a natural phenolic compound called oleocanthal, which acts like ibuprofen to block inflammation. (But don’t use it as a substitute for pain meds—it would take a 400-calorie serving to equal one 200mg ibuprofen tablet!) Sub it in for other cooking oils and butter to make your meals healthier.

  • Foods to Avoid When You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis

    Add some, minus others. Experts recommend cutting back on these foods, which may make your RA symptoms worse.

    • Red meat: That juicy burger contains omega-6 fatty acids, which in excess can contribute to inflammation. What’s more, a diet high in red meat has been linked to increased heart disease risk. Your best bet: Choose lean cuts (10% fat or less) and look for “grass-fed” on the label, which may contain more omega-3’s than other types. Try to limit red meat to once a week.
    • Processed foods: Soft drinks, chips, and candy—the stuff of vending-machine heaven—are high in added sugars and unhealthy fats, which raise the risk of obesity and joint inflammation.
    • Gluten (sometimes): This one’s a little on the border. We know gluten can trigger inflammation in the gut, skin, and joints .
    • Corn:       This is the first place to start.  We call it the OSE group.  Glucose, Fructose and Dextrose, and others variations, on a label are made from corn. The second part of this is all dairy products.  Ask yourself, “What do chickens eat?”   Corn!      Corn is the only vegetable without a DNA structure.  No ones body can digest corn,   One more hint to all moms.  Apple Juice is corn juice!

      How Alcohol Interacts With RA Medication

      Because both alcohol and certain RA medications are hard on the liver, combining the two may put you at twice the risk for liver problems. These common RA medications may become unsafe if you drink alcohol while taking them:

      • Actemra (tocilizumab)
      • Arava (leflunomide)
      • Azulfidine, Sulfazine (sulfasalazine)
      • Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall (methotrexate)

      Some supplements may also interact with the liver and make certain medications unsafe. Because every person is different, it’s important to talk to your doctor about alcohol, supplements, and any other meds you are taking, in case you are putting your liver at risk.

      If you need help with your RA, write to us, and we can help you with a personal eating plan just for you.

    • We are in this Together!-

      -People Start to Heal The Moment They Are Heard-

      Health and Wellness Associates

      EHS Telehealth

      REVIEWED BY DR Anne Sullivan

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Diets and Weight Loss, Foods, Health and Disease

HWA – Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies-GLUTEN FREE

HWA - Health and Wellness Associates

BANANA OAT BREAKFAST COOKIES  GLUTEN FREE

Let’s take a look at how some of the key ingredients in these Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies can offer healing support:

Bananas: The fructose in banana is liver’s favorite source of food. It provides quick fuel to the liver and wakes up sleepy cells, increasing their ingenuity and work output. Soothes the linings of the intestinal tract and also soothes the nerves attached to the intestinal tract. Contrary to popular belief, bananas are one of the most antibacterial, anti-yeast, antifungal foods. A great food to combine with other nutrient-rich foods or to take with supplements, because they improve the liver’s ability to absorb nutrients.

Cranberries: The anthocyanin in cranberries is multifaceted, as it does more than one job for your liver. Not only does it prevent oxidation in cells; it helps prevent cells from dying in general of toxic overload. It also removes and breaks free a variety of troublemakers, including those inherited from long past in the family line. The harsh fruit acid in cranberries that causes the mouth to pucker strips the cell membranes off pathogens, most especially bacteria. The vitamin C in cranberries holds similarities to the rare vitamin C in tomatoes in that it increases the liver’s immune system strength.

Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:
1 large ripe banana (about 1/2 cup mashed)
1 cup gluten-free oats/ STEEL OR IRISH OATS
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup cranberries or raisins (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the banana in a medium-sized mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Add the oats, cinnamon, and cranberries or raisins, if desired. Mix until uniform.

Scoop out the mixture using a heaping tablespoon measure—you should get about 8 cookies. Place them on the baking sheet and flatten them slightly to make discs.

Place the cookies in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until browned on the sides. Cool completely before eating.

We are in this Together!-

-People Start to Heal The Moment They Are Heard-

Health and Wellness Associates

EHS Telehealth

REVIEWED BY DR ANNE SULLIVAN AND P CARROTHERS

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Health and Disease

HWA – Heavy Metal Detox Smoothie

HWA - Health and Wellness Associates

Heavy Metal Detox Smoothie

We are all exposed to toxic heavy metals today. Many people also come into this world with toxic heavy metals such as mercury they inherited through their family line. Toxic heavy metals can cause or contribute to countless health symptoms and conditions.

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Enjoy this delicious smoothie daily to help safely and effectively remove heavy metals out of your brain and body.

Ingredients:
2 cups of frozen wild blueberries
1 cup cilantro
1 tsp spirulina  (BEST IS FROM HAWAII)
1 tsp barley grass juice powder
1 tbsp Atlantic dulse
2 bananas
1 orange
1 cup water (optional)

Directions:
Combine the bananas, blueberries, cilantro, barley grass juice powder, spirulina, and dulse with the juice of one orange in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Add up to 1 cup of water if a thinner consistency is desired. Serve and enjoy!

Wild blueberries: Draw heavy metals out of your brain tissue, healing and repairing any gaps created by oxidation when the heavy metals are removed. The potent antioxidants in wild blueberries help reverse any oxidative damage left behind by the heavy metal removal.

Barley grass juice extract powder: Has the ability to draw heavy metals out of your spleen, intestinal tract, pancreas, thyroid, and reproductive system. Barley grass juice extract prepares mercury for complete absorption by spirulina.

Spirulina: Draws out heavy metals from your brain, central nervous system, and liver, and soaks up heavy metals extracted by barley grass juice extract powder.

Cilantro: Goes deep into hard-to-reach places, extracting metals from yesteryear.

Atlantic dulse: Binds to mercury, lead, aluminum, copper, cadmium, and nickel. Atlantic dulse goes into deep, hidden places of the digestive tract and gut, seeking out mercury, binding to it, and never releasing it until it leaves the body. Atlantic dulse also serves as emergency backup, helping ensure that all the heavy metals that make it as far as the colon actually leave the body.

We are in this Together!-

-People Start to Heal The Moment They Are Heard-

Health and Wellness Associates

EHS Telehealth

REVIEWED BY DR P CARROTHERS

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Diets and Weight Loss, Foods, Health and Disease, Uncategorized

HWA SWEET POTATOES AND TOTS RECIPE

HWA - Health and Wellness Associates

SWEET POTATOES AND TOTS RECIPE

 

Sweet Potatoes: An important glucose and glycogen storage food for the liver. All sweet potatoes and yams are beneficial, even white sweet potatoes. Similar to regular potatoes, they help support almost every function for which the liver is responsible inside our bodies. Sweet potatoes have phytochemical properties that calm heated, angry, stagnant, sluggish, and toxic livers and help prevent spasming. They also offer a range of hormone-balancing phytochemicals for the liver; the liver uses sweet potatoes and yams to regulate and control some of its hormone functions.

Sweet Potato Tots Recipe

Ingredients:
2 medium-sized sweet potatoes
1 teaspoon dried herbs such as oregano, thyme, or rosemary

OPTIONAL KETCHUP
6 ounces pure tomato paste (find one without additives or salt)
1/3 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons raw honey
1/4 teaspoon dried onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F/190°C.

Add 3 inches of water to a medium-sized pot, bring it to a boil, and add a steaming basket. Place the sweet potatoes in the basket, cover, and steam for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender on the outside yet firm in the middle. Remove from heat and cool completely.

Remove the skins from the sweet potatoes and grate them using the large side of a box grater. Place the grated sweet potato into a bowl and add the herbs. Mix until combined.

Use a tablespoon to scoop the mixture, and then use your hands to form the tots into small cylinders.

Place the tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until browned. For a crispier tot, turn the heat up to 400°F/ 200°C for the last 10 minutes of baking. Let the tots cool for 5 to 10 minutes before eating.

To make the ketchup, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Serve with tots.

 

We are in this Together!

-People Start to Heal The Moment They Are Heard-

Health and Wellness Associates

EHS Telehealth

REVIEWED BY DR P CARROTHERS

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WordPress:  https://healthandwellnessassociates.co/

 

Health and Disease, Uncategorized

Early Signs in Young Children of Autism

HWA - Health and Wellness Associates

Early Signs and Symptoms of Autism

 

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects a person’s behavior and impairs the ability to communicate and interact with others. Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder can range from mild to severe. The cause is unknown.

Autism spectrum disorder refers to several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately, including:

  • Autistic disorder
  • Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
  • Asperger syndrome

What are the early signs and symptoms of autism in infants and babies?

 

Some children may show symptoms of autism disorder in infancy, but many do not show any signs until 24 months of age (2 years) or later. Some signs and symptoms that an infant or baby may have an autism spectrum disorder include:

  • Lack of eye contact
  • Not responding to his or her name or to familiar voices
  • No back-and-forth gestures, such as reaching, pointing, waving, or showing
  • Does not make noises to get attention
  • Does not initiate cuddling or respond to attempts to do so
  • Absence of visually following objects or gestures
  • Does not imitate facial expressions or movements
  • Lack of interest in playing with other children
  • Does not share interest or enjoyment in activities
  • Seems not to notice if others experience pain or discomfort

In addition to the common symptoms that infants with autism may exhibit, some developmental red flags may also indicate autism spectrum disorder in infants such as a lack of smiles or other joyful expressions by 6 months of age, and no back-and-forth sharing of smiles, facial expressions, or sounds by 9 months of age.

What Causes Autism?

Autism is recognized as a set of a wide variety of signs and symptoms, and may have many causes. Autism is caused by, for example:

  • Tuberous sclerosis
  • Fragile X syndrome (inherited disorder)
  • Cerebral digenesis (abnormal development of the brain)
  • Rett syndrome (a mutation of a single gene)
  • Some of the inborn errors of metabolism (biochemical defects)
  • Strong association between:
  • Autism and seizures
  • Autism and Landau-Kleffner syndrome
  • Acquired epileptic aphasia

What are the early signs and symptoms of autism in toddlers?

A toddler is a child age 12 to 36 months (1 to 3 years), and often this age is when parents start noticing the first signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Studies have shown up to half of parents of children with autism noticed signs before their child’s first birthday, and almost 80%-90% noted symptoms by 24 months.

In addition to the symptoms that infants with autism may exhibit, some developmental red flags that may indicate autism spectrum disorder in toddlers by 12 months old include:

  • Not responding to their name
  • Lack of babbling or “baby talk”
  • Absence of back-and-forth gestures, such as reaching, pointing, waving, or showing

By 16 months, a red flag that a toddler may have an autism spectrum disorder is a lack of spoken words, and by 24 months, an absence of meaningful two-word phrases that don’t involve imitating or repeating may be noticed.

 

What are the early signs and symptoms of autism in older children and teens?

 

For older children and teenagers, signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders usually involve problems with speech and language, impaired social skills, non-verbal communication difficulties, and inflexible behavior. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Some children may be severely disabled by symptoms, while others may be high-functioning.

Signs of speech and language difficulties include:

  • Starts talking later than other children
  • Problems communicating needs
  • Lack of understanding of simple questions or directions
  • Takes things literally (does not understand humor, sarcasm, or irony)
  • Speaks in an unusual tone of voice, or with a strange cadence
  • Repeats words and phrases over and over
  • Repeats, rather than responds to, questions
  • Does not use language correctly
  • Refers to him- or herself in the third person

Signs of social communication problems include:

  • Seems aloof and detached from others
  • Difficulty connecting with others and making friends
  • Seems disinterested or unaware of what is going on around them
  • Does not like to be touched, cuddled, or held
  • Difficulty playing “pretend” or using toys creatively
  • Doesn’t share with others
  • Doesn’t seem aware when others are speaking to them
  • Difficulty understanding or expressing feelings
  • Have trouble maintaining a conversation
  • Talk a lot about a specific topic but have difficulty talking about a range of topics
  • Find it hard to follow instructions with a lot of steps

Signs of nonverbal communication difficulties include:

  • Difficulty picking up on subtle nonverbal cues from others (facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice)
  • Avoidance of eye contact or unusual or inappropriate eye contact
  • Facial expressions do not match what is being said
  • Rarely makes gestures and may seem cold or robotic
  • Has abnormal posture or eccentric ways of moving
  • May be overly sensitive to sights, smells, textures, and sounds

Signs of inflexibility include:

  • Insistence on a rigid routine
  • Has problems adapting to changes in schedule or environment
  • Forms unusual attachments to strange objects (such as keys or light switches)
  • May obsessively line up or arrange objects in a particular order
  • Becomes preoccupied with one narrow topic of interest, often that involves symbols or numbers such as train schedules or sports statistics
  • Spends long periods watching moving objects or focusing on one part of an object
  • Repetitive movements (called self-stimulatory behavior, or “stimming” – believed to soothe children with autism):
  • Hand flapping
  • Rocking
  • Twirling
  • Head banging
  • Staring
  • Snapping fingers
  • Flicking light switches on and off
  • Scratching

 

Are the early signs and symptoms of autism the same for girls and boys?

There are some differences between girls and boys with autism. Not every child shows (or does not show) certain behaviors, and certain aspects of behavior and interaction are more common in one gender versus another.

Girls with autism

  • Tend to have at least one close friend – more sociable
  • Are not demanding
  • Auditory hallucinations (hears things others can’t)
  • Speaks her mind
  • Can hide feelings
  • Shows some affection
  • Speaks on time and few problems with speech
  • Speaks in high pitch
  • Apologizes a lot (sometimes to excess)

Boys with autism

  • Often have no friends – more reclusive
  • Are very demanding
  • Typically no auditory hallucinations
  • Does not speak his mind
  • Show emotions
  • Indifferent
  • Speaks late and has speech impairment
  • Monotone speech
  • Rarely, if ever, apologizes – doesn’t seem to care

 

What are the early signs and symptoms of autism in adults?

 

In adults, signs and symptoms of autism are similar to those in older children and teens, including:

  • Difficulty understanding what others think and feel, lack of empathy for others
  • Anxiety in social situations
  • Difficulty making friends or maintaining romantic relationships
  • Preferring to be alone
  • Coming across as rude or disinterested without meaning to be
  • Problems with nonverbal communication (difficulty maintaining eye contact, interpreting facial expressions, or using gestures)
  • Difficulty expressing feelings
  • Trouble maintaining conversations
  • Takings things literally (difficulty understanding humor, sarcasm, or irony)
  • Sticking to a strict routine and getting anxious if anything changes
  • Not understanding social “rules”
  • Avoiding eye contact or showing inappropriate eye contact
  • Invades personal space, or gets upset if others come too close to them
  • Preoccupations or hyper-focus on certain subjects or activities
  • Repetitive behaviors
  • Anxiety and sleep problems
  • Temper control issues
  • Depression

Autism may be different in women and men. It may be harder to tell if a woman is autistic. Women with autism may hide their feelings, may be quieter, and may appear to handle social situations more easily.

On the positive side, adults with autism may excel at a particular skill, have an abundance of knowledge in one specific area, or have an exceptional memory.

-People Start to Heal The Moment They Are Heard-
Health and Wellness Associates
EHS Telehealth

WordPress:  https://healthandwellnessassociates.co/

Foods, Health and Disease, Uncategorized

What Are the Most Dangerous Food Groups?

HWA - Health and Wellness Associates

What Are the Most Dangerous Food Groups?

News Picture: What Are the Most Dangerous Food Groups?

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds — we hear a lot about the “best” food groups for health. But what about the worst ones? What foods should you be eliminating or at least cutting back on?

Research published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at dietary intake and 318,000 deaths from diabetes, stroke and heart disease. In addition to not eating enough omega-3 rich seafood, nuts and seeds, two problematic factors stood out.

These deaths were associated with eating too much salt and too many processed meats. The two go hand-in-hand in sausages, hot dogs, corned beef, beef jerky, canned meat, meat sauces, lunch meats and bacon. Eating too much salty food was associated with nearly 10% of those deaths. Processed meats are a key source of salt, but so are snacks, prepared foods and even packaged vegetables, especially those canned in salt.

A separate study of 400,000 deaths related to heart and blood vessel diseases presented at an American Heart Association scientific meeting came to similar conclusions — finding 9% of these deaths were due to too much salt. The very unhealthy trans fats were also on the dangerous foods list.

Fortunately, these are being phased out of packaged foods.

But again, what you’re not eating makes a difference, too. These researchers also found that not getting enough whole grains, vegetables, and nuts and seeds was detrimental, with each missing food group being linked to between 10% and 11% of the deaths.

When planning your best diet, remember that eating healthy is a balancing act — you want to increase good foods and cut back on the bad ones to make sure that the scales tip in your favor.

 

Remember, we are in this together!

-People Start to Heal The Moment They Are Heard-
Health and Wellness Associates
EHS Telehealth

WordPress:  https://healthandwellnessassociates.co/

Foods, Uncategorized

Shrimp Stuffing From the Bayou

HWA - Health and Wellness Associates

Shrimp Stuffing From the Bayou

We're showing you how to make restaurant-quality Baked Stuffed Shrimp at home!
Ingredients
• 1 cup of coarsely crushed unsalted saltine
crackers (about 23 crackers)
• 1 tsp of cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp of garlic powder
• 1 tsp of onion powder
• 2 cups of cubed Italian bread
• 2 tbsp of chopped fresh thyme (or 1 tbsp dried)
• 2 tbsp of chopped parsley
• Half a tsp of black pepper
• Half a tsp of dried oregano
• Half a tsp of dried sage
• One-quarter of a cup of diced bell pepper
• One-quarter of a cup of diced celery
• One-quarter of a cup of diced onion
• One-quarter of a cup of unsalted butter
• Three-quarters of a cup of low-sodium chicken
stock
• Three-quarters of a lb of small raw shrimp (25
to 30), peeled and deveined

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375˚F.
2. In large sauté pan, melt butter on mediumhigh heat. Add shrimp and cook for three to
five minutes or until slightly pink and slightly
raw in the middle. Remove shrimp from pan
and place on a plate to cool, then chop into
medium-sized pieces.
3. Put pan back on heat and add onion, celery,
and bell pepper, and cook while stirring until
soft—about three to five minutes.
4. In a small bowl, mix all dry spices, add to pan
and stir. Add chicken stock, cubed bread,
and crushed crackers, and stir until well
incorporated and bread is moistened. Turn heat

to low and add shrimp back to pan and stir for
an additional two to four minutes.
5. Turn off heat and serve. For a crispy top, bake
in a 4×7-inch casserole dish at 350˚F for
approximately 15 minutes or until top begins
to brown.
Serves four to six.
Nutrient Analysis Per Serving (3
ounces (oz))
Calories: 126, total fat: 6 g, saturated fat: 3 g, trans
fat: 0 g, cholesterol: 16 mg, total carbohydrates: 16
g, protein: 3 g, potassium: 108 mg, phosphorus: 38
mg, sodium: 155 mg.

 

Remember, we are in this together!

 

-People Start to Heal The Moment They Are Heard-
Health and Wellness Associates
EHS Telehealth

WordPress:  https://healthandwellnessassociates.co/

Foods, Uncategorized

Chicken Tacos

HWA - Health and Wellness Associates

 

Chicken Tacos

 

Fried Chicken Tacos | When done well there may not be a better comfort food than fried chicken. And it's versatile to boot. From sandwichesto tacos to ramen, click through ...

Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoons (tbsp) of chopped fresh garlic
• 1 teaspoon (tsp) of chili powder
• 1 tsp of cumin
• 1 tsp of smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp of unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp of chopped fresh scallions
• Half a cup of Mexican blend natural shredded
cheese*
• One package of eight taco shells**
• One-quarter of a cup of chopped fresh cilantro
leaves
• Three-quarters of a pound (lb) of ground chicken
* Make sure to choose a low-fat (less than 20%
M.F.) cheese. Also, choose natural cheeses compared
to processed cheeses. They tend to be lower in
sodium and phosphorus.
** Some shells can be close to 200 milligrams
(mg) for the two shells compared to only about 5 mg
for other brands.
Directions
1. Brown the ground chicken in butter on medium
heat along with the seasonings.
2. Fill two taco shells for each person with
meat mixture, cilantro, scallions, and cheese.
Measuring the cheese is the key! It should be
one-eighth of a cup per two tacos. Remember
to read the food labels, as shells can have quite
a bit of sodium.

Serves 4; one serving = half a cup of chicken
mixture and two taco shells.
Optional Serving Suggestions
Ingredients can also be served in a lettuce wrap,
pressed between flour tortillas to make a quesadilla,
or tossed with spaghetti or rice.
Nutrient Analysis: Chicken Mixture
Calories: 270, total fat: 20 grams (g), saturated fat:
7 g, trans fat: 0 g, cholesterol: 85 mg, sodium: 146
mg, protein: 19 g, carbohydrates: 2 g, potassium:
264 mg, phosphorus: 82 mg.
Nutrient Analysis: Two Taco Shells
Calories: 122, total fat: 6 g, saturated fat: 0.8 g,
trans fat: 0 g, cholesterol: 0 mg, sodium: 4 mg,
protein: 2 g, carbohydrates: 16 g, potassium: 46
mg, phosphorus: 64 mg

 

Remember, we are in this together!

-People Start to Heal The Moment They Are Heard-
Health and Wellness Associates
EHS Telehealth

WordPress:  https://healthandwellnessassociates.co/

Health and Disease, Uncategorized

Your Top Five Kidney-Friendly Foods

HWA - Health and Wellness Associates

Your Top Five Kidney-Friendly Foods

 

Are you looking to add some kidney-friendly foods
to your diet? Do you want to try a variety of tasty,
healthy, nutrient-rich foods? Try the following top
five foods that are friendly for those with kidney
disease (or at risk of developing it).

Produce of the Month Guide: Cranberries is an informative guide on cranberries and includes a round up of 35 fresh cranberry recipes!
1. Cranberries
If you have not heard it before, cranberries are
a great natural way to help prevent and treat
urinary-tract infections (UTIs). Cranberries contain
an abundance of proanthocyanidins (PACs), which
are a type of compound that prevents infectious
bacteria—especially E. coli—from sticking to your
urinary-tract lining. Fortunately, this prevents the
bacteria from populating and, therefore, prevents
infections from developing.
Cranberries are even thought to play a role in
maintaining good heart health by lowering your
bad cholesterol levels and increasing your good
cholesterol levels.
Cranberries can be found fresh in season between
October and December; however, it is likely that your
grocery store may be importing them from elsewhere
year round. Choose berries that are firm, plump, and
rich in red color. The deeper the red coloring, the
more anthocyanins are present. Cranberries can be
stored up to 20 days in your refrigerator—or for years,
if kept properly frozen. Discard any berries that end
up soft, discolored, or shriveled.
Cranberries are a rich source of manganese,
vitamin C, and fiber, as well as lots of phytonutrients.
Remember: the extra fiber can help manage those
blood-sugar levels, thus reducing your risk of kidney
disease.
You gain their maximum nutritional benefit
while enjoying them fresh, as many of their nutrients
are destroyed in high heats. Consider replacing

vinegar or lemon juice in recipes and incorporate
cranberries into your salad dressing. They can even
be added to your salads, with their tartness balanced
out by something sweet like mandarins. You could
also use dried cranberries in salads and trail mixes or
add them to hot or cold cereals.

Raw salmon fish fillet by karandaev. Raw salmon fish fillet with spices cooking on cutting board. Top view#fillet, #karandaev, #fish, #Raw
2. Fish
Fish that are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids
(such as salmon, mackerel, rainbow trout, and
herring) are kidney-friendly protein sources. Their
healthy fats help reduce inflammation, lower blood
pressure, decrease bad cholesterol, and increase
good cholesterol. All of these are important factors
not only for improving your heart health but for
improving your kidney health, as well.

 

This is perfect garlic. Photo by DonnaTurner Ruhlman
3. Garlic
Garlic is an excellent way to add great aroma and
flavoring to many dishes. More so, it is a great way
to reduce your sodium intake by avoiding salt and
replacing it with garlic. Just make sure not to use garlic
salt. Since your kidneys are responsible for regulating
a healthy balance of minerals, including sodium,
this kidney-friendly alternative helps relieve some
pressure from your kidneys without compromising
any flavor.
Garlic is a good source of manganese, vitamin B6
,
and vitamin C. It may moderately reduce your blood
fats and your overall cholesterol levels. Furthermore,
it can help protect against oxidative stress and
inflammation, which are both responsible for causing
damage to your blood vessels. By incorporating garlic
into your diet, you can improve your heart health
and ensure that you are keeping your blood vessels in

top condition. You want them to be able to properly
filter your blood!
Garlic bulbs are available year round in your local
grocery store. You can store garlic uncovered in a
cool, dark place for about a month. Make sure that
when you are selecting bulbs, they are firm and free
from any mold or sprouting. You also want them to be
free from cracks. Avoid bulbs that appear shriveled
and feel soft.
Garlic can be easily added to many dishes—
especially when pureed. Add it to sauces, soups, or
mashed potatoes, or incorporate it into a hummus dip
in combination with chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and
lemon juice. You can even sauté it along with steamed
spinach and a drop of lemon juice.

Putting Eggs On Your Face - DIY Beauty Remedies You Should NOT Try - Photos
4. Egg Whites
If you are looking for a pure protein source with all
of your essential amino acids, then look no further
than egg whites. They’re a great protein option that is
lower in phosphorus than other good-quality protein
sources such as egg yolks and meats. Remember that
phosphorus is one of those minerals that the kidneys
need to regulate in your blood. If you have kidney
disease, you want to account for food choices that
have higher levels of these minerals to help manage
your disease.

You can purchase egg whites in a carton or
separate the eggs on your own. Egg whites can be used
in omelets, mixed with veggies, enjoyed on their own,
or incorporated into a sandwich. You can also add
them to shakes or smoothies to increase their protein
content.
If you are using whole eggs, consider hard-boiling
them, removing the yolks, and adding them to your
favorite green salad.

Cabbage | eCurry - Soma.R - Soma Rathore
5. Cabbage
Cabbage is known to help reduce your cholesterol
levels. Upon consuming foods containing fats, your
liver releases bile into the small intestine to help
break down and digest the fats. Cabbage binds the
bile salts, which contain cholesterol, preventing
it from being reabsorbed by the small intestine.
Therefore, the cholesterol is eliminated through
your feces.
Cabbage is rich in many different types of
antioxidants, including phytonutrients, polyphenols,
and anthocyanins, as well as being a rich source of
vitamin C and manganese. These all help reduce
inflammation and oxidative stress, thus reducing
damage to your blood vessels, and play a protective
role for your kidneys.

 

Dr Victor Marchione

 

Remember, we are in this together!

 

-People Start to Heal The Moment They Are Heard-
Health and Wellness Associates
EHS Telehealth

WordPress:  https://healthandwellnessassociates.co/