Revisiting Superfoods

This is an excerpt from our April Creating What Matters Health Newsletter.

Principle 1: A SuperFood Focused Intake is the Best Diet in the World
Sophisticated computer analysis has enabled researchers to determine which populations are the healthiest and live the longest. Highly respected database studies and sets of recommendations including those of the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute have looked at the same information. The data shows the particular foods eaten by these healthiest populations. Superfoods show up over and over again when you look at these diets.

Principle 2: SuperFoods are Whole Foods
There will always be some disagreement regarding the term wholefood. But in general, whole foods are those that are unprocessed or are minimally processed in such a way that none of their nutritional characteristics have been intentionally modified. Whole foods are complex. They contain hundreds of unidentified compounds and nutrients. A growing body of research from laboratory and human studies suggests that these nutrients work best in concert with each other. Moreover, just as the nutrients in a particular food team up to work better, nutrients from a wide range of foods also work together to promote good health.

Principle 3: SuperFoods Equal SynergyFood. Synergy is critical to health.
Food synergy refers to the interaction of two or more nutrients and other healthful substances in foods that work together to achieve an effect that each is individually unable to match. Nutrients work in a precisely calibrated relationship; the kind of relationship that nature has provided when the nutrients are obtained from food. There are, after all, thousands of chemicals present in food and researchers have only identified a fraction of this number. Surely with this many chemicals present, interactions are taking place that science doesn't fully understand. You simply can't shortcut your way to good nutrition; you must rely on a variety of wholefoods.

Principle 4: Eating SuperFoods is Simple and Positive
A healthy diet is the essential core of a healthy life. We all live busy complicated lives. Nutrition recommendations that are complicated or challenging can't become a regular part of our routine. The best approach to any health change is one that is positive. Regimes that forbid foods or make eating satisfying meals a challenge are counterproductive. Once most people understand the SuperFoods principle, they feel liberated. It's not about what you shouldn't do. It's about what you should do.

Source: www.superfoodsrx.com

Have you thought about your "Total Load" of toxins?

Very interesting article on accumulation of toxins in the body and how they may be passed on during pregnancy and affect the development of children.

http://www.bodyecology.com/archive/understanding-total-load-patricia-lerner.php

I am interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

Fresh or Frozen

Because proper nutrition is important to creating health, I am always looking for the best bang for my buck, time and effort. So there is always the question about fresh or frozen and even whether to buy organic or just local. Frozen may be the best bet for convenience and cost - less spoilage. Frozen may also have the best nutritional value because of being picked at the height of ripeness and flash frozen. Fresh is great for in season items and organic is important in reducing toxins from pesticides. I always buy organic lemons to use in my liver cleanse. See below for other fruits and vegetables where you may want to go with organic.

Mary

This information from www.realage.com: According to John La Puma, MD -- RealAge expert and author of the new book ChefMD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine -- going organic with these 12 fruits and veggies could cut your exposure to pesticides as much as 90 percent!

• Fruits
  Peaches and nectarines
  Strawberries and cherries
  Apples and pears
  Imported grapes
• Veggies
  Spinach and lettuce
  Potatoes and celery
  Sweet bell peppers

S.O.B Month….. that is Spunky Old Broads

January was National Hot Tea month. (I hope you took time to enjoy a cup. I am having one now.) February is Spunky Old Broads month. And I am a member of the club!

Many years ago, I thought 50 was the age of antiques and ancient civilizations. Of course my concept of what “old” is has changed considerably. In fact, as I have pushed that number of defining old up and up each decade, I now realize old is more a state of mind and health.

Good health is not something that just happens; we must continuously create health. And health is the foundation to almost everything else.

What do you see yourself doing in 10, 20 or 30 years? Are you actively involved with your family, in your community? Are you still engaging in your favorite sport ---- with your grandchildren? How long do you want to be healthy?

I have been focused on embracing health for the last few years so if you want to be an SOB sometime, contact me and I will help you - create what matters.

Creating Health in 2009

What matters is health.

In the past few years I have become more focused on creating health and preventing disease. Being active and able to enjoy good health for a long time is increasingly important to me. Through my readings, I have learned that proper nutrition is the key to creating health. And proper nutrition is not particularly easy, quick or convenient by today's fast paced standards. I think this is why many of us gradually slide into sub-optimal eating habits.

During this next week, I will be refining my plans to embrace health in 2009 that include plenty of healthy foods, water and regular exercise. How long do you want to have good health? What are your plans to accomplish that?