As February 14th approaches, we think of how we will express our love for the significant other, family and friends so special in our lives.  Will we send flowers?  Will we send chocolates (dark, of course!)?  Will we prepare a romantic dinner?  Will we embrace along side a roaring fire?

The history behind St. Valentine’s Day paints a different  picture from the way we celebrate today. One common theory suggests that St. Valentine was a priest in Rome during the 3rd century.  Marraige of young men was banned by the Emperor Claudius II as he reasoned these young men would make better warriors than having wives and children.  Valentine felt this unfair and took matters into his own hands by marrying young couples in secret.  When these deeds were revealed, Claudius sentenced Valentine to death.

Another theory states that St. Valentine had been imprisoned and fell in love with the guard’s daughter.  Prior to his death, he sent her a note signed “From your Valentine”.

We will never know the actual history of St. Valentine but he has always been looked upon as a romantic figure.  So much so that by the Middle Ages, he was viewed as one of the most popular of saints throughout England and France.

Signs of affection are shown in a variety of ways.  The giving of flowers also dates back to the Middle Ages when courtship was forbiden causing couples to declare their love through the use of flowers.  In the 1600′s, handmade cards became popular as Americans adorned them with bow and arrow.  Then came sweets for the sweet and boxes of candy began to show sentiment.
For love of chocolate

In recent studies, chocolate has been shown to have a variety of health benefits.  These benefits arise from cocoa, dark chocolate and minimally processed chocolate food items.  Being rich in magnesium (aids depression), sulfur (builds strong nails, hair and detoxifies the liver) and copper all helping to regulate blood pressure and heartbeat, chocolate also contains flavonoids rich in anti-oxidants.  The health benefits from these anti-oxidants are:

improves circulation
improves digestion
stimulates the kidneys
improves endothelial functions
lowers blood pressure
protects against free radicals known to trigger stroke and heart disease
lowers heart disease related deaths
A simple way to add chocolate to your nutrition is by dipping organic, fresh strawberries into melted dark chocolate!  YUM!
Need a dessert for you St. Valentine’s Day dinner?  Look no further as this recipe is easy to prepare and tastes so delicious!!

Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients:

1/4 cup raw cacao

2 avocados

2 tbsp. maple syrup or raw honey to taste

1/4 cup water

1 tsp. vanilla

dash of Celtic Sea Salt

Directions:

Add all ingredients to your blender and blend til creamy smooth.  Garnish with fresh mint and a chocolate dipped organic strawberry.

Wrap your arms around those you love and enjoy!!

As February 14th approaches, we think of how we will express our love for the significant other, family and friends so special in our lives.  Will we send flowers?  Will we send chocolates (dark, of course!)?  Will we prepare a romantic dinner?  Will we embrace along side a roaring fire?

The history behind St. Valentine’s Day paints a different  picture from the way we celebrate today. One common theory suggests that St. Valentine was a priest in Rome during the 3rd century.  Marraige of young men was banned by the Emperor Claudius II as he reasoned these young men would make better warriors than having wives and children.  Valentine felt this unfair and took matters into his own hands by marrying young couples in secret.  When these deeds were revealed, Claudius sentenced Valentine to death.

Another theory states that St. Valentine had been imprisoned and fell in love with the guard’s daughter.  Prior to his death, he sent her a note signed “From your Valentine”.

We will never know the actual history of St. Valentine but he has always been looked upon as a romantic figure.  So much so that by the Middle Ages, he was viewed as one of the most popular of saints throughout England and France.

Signs of affection are shown in a variety of ways.  The giving of flowers also dates back to the Middle Ages when courtship was forbiden causing couples to declare their love through the use of flowers.  In the 1600′s, handmade cards became popular as Americans adorned them with bow and arrow.  Then came sweets for the sweet and boxes of candy began to show sentiment.

In celebrating St. Valentine’s Day, wrap your arms around those whom you love and be thankful for today’s sentiment.

Winter is very tough on skin. The exposure to the cold temperatures outdoors, heating indoors, all combined with the low humidity can leave skin feeling parched, flaky, cracked with an increase in fine lines.  The face and hands seem to suffer the most damage since the rest of the body is covered up. Now is the time to add protection for healthier skin so let’s start from the inside-out.

• Antioxidants - Foods rich in antioxidants help to protect and moisturize the skin.  A diet rich in antioxidant fruits and
  vegetables can help neutralize skin damage, help in the production of collagen, affect oil production and protect against cell damage.  Berries, pomegranates, broccoli, spinach and romaine lettuce are high in vitamins A, C and E improving the health of the skin.
• Omega-3s – Omega-3 fatty acids help to keep moisture in and irritants out of your skin.  Foods rich in Omega-3 include flaxseed and flaxseed oil, fortified eggs, salmon, cod and raw pumpkin seeds.
• Coenzyme Q10 – The prevention of skin cancer has been studied and found that oily fish such as sardines and
  mackerel beneficial.
• Vitamin D – The ultraviolet light from the sun is necessary in the body’s production of Vitamin D.  Good sources include dark green leafy veggies, fortified eggs and milk.  Supplementation may be necessary for us Northerners so ask your health care provider for additional information.
• Glucosamine – This compound not only keeps joints lubricated but will also keep your skin elastic and helping
  to hold on to moisture.
• Water Intake – Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of filtered water daily will help to keep skin soft and supple
  plus flushing toxins out of the body.
• Regular Exercise – Sweat is an excellent form of detoxification for the body specifically the skin.  Exercise improves the delivery of oxygen and blood to the skin increasing the circulation and elasticity.

Common skin conditions can greatly benefit from therapeutic grade essential oils such as those from Young Living based in Utah. Not only do they smell wonderful but when applied topically can help repair skin ailments.

• Lavender – The mother of all essential oils, lavender gently soothes the skin, deceases redness and skin
  irritation and improves acne.
• Frankincense – The father of all essential oils improves fine lines and wrinkles and stimulates cell regrowth.
• Rose – Dehydration can often be the cause of oily or red skin (rosacea) greatly improved by thehydrating qualities of rose oil.
• Sandalwood – Dry and flaky skin responds well to this oil due to its emollient qualities.  Men also like to use this oil in place of cologne.

Skin care products from moisturizers to body wash, shampoo and conditioner can also create skin issues mostly due to the ingredients they contain.  When looking for quality skin care products be cautious and read the labels well.

Ingredients to avoid are:

• Sodium Laurel or Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) also known as Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – A suspected cancer causing agent breaks down the skin’s moisture barrier which can lead to dry skin and premature aging.
• Parabens – Found in many cosmetic and skin care products as a synthetic preservative and potential endocrine disrupter.
• Petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin – These byproducts of crude oil can clog pores and are suspected to disrupt hormonal activity.
• Propylene glycol – Commonly used in cosmetic moisturizer and a carrier for fragrance, these petroleum-derived
  synthetics may draw other chemicals into the bloodstream.

An easy to make and natural facial scrub consists of 1 part rolled oats (processed to almost flour), 1 part almonds (same as above) and ½ part raw honey.  Combine well and refrigerate in between uses in a jar.  Leaves skin soft and supple!
So look out Old Man Winter! Your howling winds and frigid temperatures won’t damage my skin this year!

Superfoods are those certain edibles that are meant to fight against heart disease, elevated cholesterol, cancer and a number of other diseases.  Everyone seems to have their own list of superfoods but I like to look at this with a seasonal approach.  These superfoods that both you and I can get right here and now while it’s fresh and in season are simply the best of the best.

 
Sweet Potatoes and Pumpkin

I like to start with these brightly colored orange beauties.  The dark orange family is high in Vitamin A, packed full of antioxidants, Vitamin C, potassium and calcium.  Other veggies in this category include carrots and butternut squash.

 
Alliums

The sulfur compounds in garlic, onions, scallions, leeks and shallots may help protect against heart disease and some cancers, high blood pressure, arthritis, immune disorders and improving the cholesterolpanal.  Alliums can also help the liver to eliminate toxins and carcinogens.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Crucifers contain indole alkaloids that may help to prevent cancer. Crucifers consist of broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower,
turnips, collards, kale and cabbage.  They are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants.  The flavor is exquisite and easy to prepare.  An added bonus is that they may boost your memory as you age.  Women who eat these foods may also be less likely to become forgetful according to a Harvard Medical Research study.

Beets

Powerful in fighting cancer as exhibited from the bright and beautiful fuschia pigment – betacyanin – is shown in numerous studies.  Potentially effective against colon cancer, beets are also rich in the B vitamin folate.

Olive Oil

Studies suggest that olive oil, the monosaturated fat, is good for the heart lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol.  A highlight of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is high in antioxidants and has increased the
survival rate of heart-attack victims versus ordinary low-fat diets.

Beans

Numerous varieties of beans create flavorful and nutritionally dense dishes.  The versatility and inexpensive factors are excellent sources of protein, antioxidants, potassium, folic acid, dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates.

Tea

To round things out, tea is a rich source of catechins, an antioxidant.  Catechins have been shown to protect the walls of arteries against damage causing heart disease and preventing the formation of blood clots. Tea can be used to increase mood, stimulate the senses and arouse alertness due to the caffeine content.  Also, tea is a nice addition on a cool fall day.

So…head to the Farmer’s Market and enjoy the seasonal and nutritional superfoods providing the family with health, powerful antioxidants, taste, variety and overall satisfaction.  Enjoy!!

Looking to take the best care of your family?  If you have read any of my previous articles, you will see that I often refer to organic or naturally grown food sources as the best in feeding your family.  Organic or naturally grown vegetables and fruits, and organic or naturally raised farm animals such as cows, chickens, goats and pigs, to name a few, are gaining in consumption.  Look at the increase in visits to local Farmer’s Markets.  Why the increase, you might ask?

Over the past decade, the use of chemical pesticides in farming has risen.  Also, over the past decade, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children has also risen.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a rise of 22% of school age children has been diagnosed with ADHD between 2003 and 2007.  Are the twoof these related?  I believe they are related and we as parents, teachers and care givers need to take a stand to protect our families.

New research sited in the medical journal, Pediatrics, agrees.  Public health expert and chair of the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City believes that pesticides found in foods are responsible for the increase of ADHD. Diet is the main source of pesticide consumption.  In the research, it has been shown that those who change from a typical American diet to an organic diet decrease the levels of pesticide by-products in their urine by 85-90 percent.

Here are a few ways to help protect our families:

• Women who are considering pregnancy should consume a strict organic diet at least 6 months before conception and continue throughout the pregnancy.  Any pesticide ingested in mom’s diet is also consumed in the baby’s diet.
• The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has prepared a list of produce which are high in pesticide exposure.  The Dirty Dozen includes celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, collard greens/kale, cherries, potatoes and grapes.  These foods should be bought organically.  There are some non-organic produce items that are less affected by pesticides.  These are called the Clean Fifteen and include onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangos, sweet peas, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potatoes and honeydew melon.
• Other products that are used in the home may also contain harmful pesticides, such as cleaning products, lawn and garden sprays, and body products like shampoo/conditioner, body wash, and toothpaste.  Consider limiting usage of these products or changing all together to a cleaner, safer approach.

Here’s to  healthy and happy families!!

Happy St. Valentine’s Day♥

February 14th…the day for love , both giving and receiving.  A wonderful day to spend time with loved ones, show how much we appreciate them, and strengthen our relationships.  Beautiful red roses, a piece of jewelry, a box of chocolates…A Box of CHOCOLATES♥♥♥♥

Chocolate’s scientific name is “theobroma cacao”.  Literally, this translates to mean “food of the Gods”.  So in honor of one of the most cherished holidays of the year, I will host a free teleseminar on “The Health Benefits of Chocolate Demystified: Simple Steps to Healthy and Delicious Homemade Chocolate”.

For Love ♥ of Chocolate will cover:

• the healthiest kinds of chocolate around
• the secrets to finding and eating healthy chocolate
• the health benefits of chocolate
• 16 SEXY substances that makes chocolate healthy
• who should and shouldn’t eat chocolate
• which types of chocolate should be avoided
• can chocolate be a part of a healthy diet?

and much, much more!!

So if you love ♥ chocolate, and are interested in learning more about chocolate and how easy it is to create healthy and delicious treats, register on the resource/event page to receive the call in information.  This event will take place Thursday, February 10th (just in time for St. Valentine’s Day♥) at 7 p.m. EST.  Register now as there is limited space on the bridgeline!!