Healthy Living Network

I LIKE POWERFOODS! DO YOU?

I like the word powerfood better than superfood. Superfoods have been talked about so much that it now is commercialized.

The idea of Powerfoods reminds people that there are unique benefits, unique qualities, and unique 'powers' to many foods of the world.

Powerfoods usually have high concentrations of certain nutrients. We usually just don't know about them or appreciate them.

You may have powerfoods in your kitchen right now.

What do you consider powerfoods?

What are your favorite powerfoods?

Diana Herrington just wrote a Care2 article on Raspberries but there are other powerfood articles as well. The raspberry article is at http://www.care2.com/greenliving/raspberry-summer-powerfood.html

Thank you Randy! I am a great Powerfoods fan which is why I write about them. Love to hear what Powerfoods others like here and more about them.

I love walnuts! My mom loved to cook with them because they add flavor and crunch to any meal. Now I know that walnuts are also highly nutritious, so much so that I consider them a powerfood.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/12-benefits-of-walnuts.html#ixzz1Xx1NuyZj

I consider powerfoods as almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, blueberries, raspberries and apples.

I consider my green smoothies a powerfood. They give me energy, provide plant based healthy protein and lots of vitamins and minerals.

Thanks Cathy and Cindy for YOUR powerfoods. I eat all the foods you do and consider them powerfoods. For myself the powerfood I eat/drink evey single day is Green Tea!

are my powerfood, an ounce a day keeps you smiling away benefits,increased energy easier time in the bathroom , the next day there are a million other claims I also like quinoa,azuki beans, buckwheat noodles,hemp seeds seaweeds,kombucha, and acai tonic

By eating powerfoods everyday you can energize and balance your body without costly vitamins and medical bills. Foods affect us on many levels and understanding these factors can help you make better health choices.

Before understanding the power of the foods around me, I was unhealthy, unhappy and confused. Constant visits to doctors and health food stores had little effect on my deep fatigue and constant hunger. That was 30 years ago when Western nutritional science was not as advanced as it is now.

Read more: 5 Ways Powerfoods Help Us: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-ways-powerfoods-help-us.html#ixzz1YdJuoY8u

Thanks Diana for another great powerfood article in the healthy living article section. This one is on apples. (link included) 10 Reasons Why To Eat An Apple A Day. I don't eat a whole apple every day but pretty close! I particularly like crab-apples which are still available in Canada right now! http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-reasons-to-eat-an-apple-a-day.html

ANOTHER powerfood article by Diana. This one was originally called Zucchini Love. There have been times in my life I think I lived on zucchini. Here is the Care2 link. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/why-i-love-zucchini.html

Guess I must like Powerfoods! Thank you Randy for being a big fan.

I LOVE Powerfoods! I sure wish I lived where I could buy more of them regularly! I consider all Raw fruits and veggies Powerfoods, and especially Organic ones without all the chemicals and poison's added! Another of my fav Powerfood's is Organic Raw, Unpasteurized, unfiltered, Apple Cider Vinegar. I believe it is of great benefit to our bodies. It helps with acid reflux, arthritis, allergies, and gout, to name a few! Wishing you all a blessed and Powerfood filled day!

Newest powerfoods post is on PUMPKINS: the Scary Powerfood. 
I personally LOVE pumpkin pie.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/pumpkin-the-magical-superfood.html 

That link did not work even tho it looks correct: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/pumpkin-the-magical-superfood.html

Homer, famous author of the Odyessy, called pears “gift of the gods.” That was in 800 B.C. Thousands of years before and thousands of years later, there are many (including me) who would agree.

Did you know?

• Pears were cultivated in 5000 B.C. in China by Feng Li, a Chinese diplomat as a commercial venture.
• The Chinese believed that the pear was a symbol of immortality. (Pear trees live for a long time.)
• In Greek and Roman mythology, pears are sacred to three goddesses.
• Pears are members of the rose family.
• There are more than 5,000 varieties of pears! (When I was at the farmer’s market a guy showed me 5 varieties last week; I was impressed.)
• Pear trees can produce fruit for up to 100 years.
• Pears were cultivated to become the sweet juicy taste we know today.
• Pears are Powerfoods.
  Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/pears-gift-of-the-gods.html#ixzz1kXI1HAr1

Onions for Better Health, says World Health Organization

Everyone loves onions but few recognize how good they are for you! They are full of protective phytonutrients, vitamins, trace minerals, and unique anti-inflammatory compounds. Onions are one of my favorite powerfoods.

6 Health Benefits of Onions:

1. WHO recognizes that onions help relieve symptoms such as coughs, congestion asthma and respiratory infections.

• Early American settlers used wild onions to treat colds, coughs, and asthma, and to repel insects.

• In Chinese medicine, onions have been used to treat angina, coughs, bacterial infections, and breathing problems.

• Sugar and onion juice form syrup, much used in domestic practice, for cough and other affections of the air-tubes among children.

Health Benefits:

1. Prevents Cancer:

Research has shown antioxidant compounds in mango fruit have been found to protect against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers. These compounds include quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat, as well as the abundant enzymes.

2. Lowers Cholesterol: The high levels of fiber, pectin and vitamin C help to lower serum cholesterol levels, specifically Low-Density Lipoprotein (the bad stuff)

3. Clears the Skin: Can be used both internally and externally for the skin. Mangos clear clogged pores and eliminate pimples. (Read more on page 5.)

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-health-benefits-of-mangos.html#ixzz1rfIzJIKH

broccoli,cauliflower,and brussel sprouts. all supposedly specific cancer fighting,hence the name.

Thank you everyone for your healthy food.  I am in a hurry, I have to come at night at a Coffee Depot... with my laptop.  I was coming to the group for many years and I had to quit.  I am staying in a shelter, hoping to find a studio, before going back to Brooklyn NY.  It is not easy to eat.  To give you an example at Easter dinner, was fat pork with too cooked veges etc...  I think I will buy my food, but the way to eat it is to cook it on their microwave, the one I am against.  There is a Market I know where I can buy organic but it will be only in small quantity and as I am tired the way I eat, I can't imagine to go to the Market, it is far from that Shelter, but what is the choice to be healthy? 

I am diabetic, arthrose and tonight I have a big headache. 

I have to go to meet the borders at the PET  (Pierre Elliot Trudeau)  Airport on the 12, this Thursday, someone is coming with me it is enough to cause headache too. 

So, one thing at the time.  It is so mix on my head right now.

Thank you everyone, Diana, I think you remember me, and I have problem to go to Yahoo.  My life is not easy. 

I will come back to look for the solutions I know you can help me.

Thank you! 

Marie C

Good Evening everyone.  Nobody answered?  I think that I will write to Diana personnally.

I am not going back to Brooklyn, my decision.  I have to think about me first.

Thank you for all the good stuff I can found here.  I know a lot too. But leaving in a Shelter you can't do what you want.  I'll try to ask what I need, as a Juicing Machine, you can prevent, heal and learn how to eat to be healthy.

Hugs

we are all.

MariE C

thanks everyone for your kindness

Marie

Diana has posted yet another powerfood on Care2 - this time asparagus!  Thanks!
8 Health Benefits of Asparagus

Thank you Randy, I am just about to make something with the asparagus I bought.

I

My powerfood, without question is asparagus. Sometimes if I'm without it in my food rotation, I crave it desperately. Hated it as a child, love out today. We are also big on cranberries, blueberries and tart cherries. Salads are not complete without a handful of the berries and seeds By the way, I'm new around here so it's likely just me but, I found this a particularity difficult thread to follow.

while unable to chew ,I relied on huge yams to satisfy my hunger. they are nutritious and considered one of the top ten foods,amongst oatmeal,salmon,blueberries,etc because they help fight inflamation in the body. also,they are delicious also let's not forget apples,I eat one daily,applesauce when I couldn't chew. the pectin is good for the stomach,my biggest source of grief.

There is another powerfood post by Diana on MILLET. 
Millet is one of my favorite grains, along with rice and quinoa.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/12-health-benefits-of-millet.html  

One more Powerfood for you!

9 Health Benefits of Broccoli

1. Cancer Prevention

Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which the body processes into the anti-cancer compound sulforaphane. This compound rids the body of H. pylori, a bacterium found to highly increase the risk of gastric cancer. Furthermore, broccoli contains indole-3-carbinol, a powerful antioxidant compound and anti-carcinogen found to not only hinder the growth of breast, cervical and prostate cancer, but also boosts liver function.

Broccoli shares these cancer fighting, immune boosting properties with other cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

2. Cholesterol Reduction

Like many whole foods, broccoli is packed with soluble fiber that draws cholesterol out of your body.

3. Reducing Allergy Reaction and Inflammation

Broccoli is a particularly rich source of kaempferol and isothiocyanates, both anti-inflammatory phyto nutrients. Research has shown the ability of kaempferol to lessen the impact of allergy-related substances on our body. Broccoli even has significant amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which are well know as an anti-inflammatory.

4. Powerful Antioxidant

Of all the cruciferous vegetables, broccoli stands out as the most concentrated source of vitamin C, plus the flavonoids necessary for vitamin C to recycle effectively. Also concentrated in broccoli are the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, other powerful antioxidants.

5. Bone Health

Broccoli contains high levels of both calcium and vitamin K, both of which are important for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis.

6. Heart Health

The anti-inflammatory properties of sulforaphane, one of the isothiocyanates (ITCs) in broccoli, may be able to prevent (or even reverse) some of the damage to blood vessel linings that can be caused by inflammation due to chronic blood sugar problems.

7. Detoxification

Glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiin and glucobrassicin are special phytonutrients that support all steps in the body’s detox process, including activation, neutralization and elimination of unwanted contaminants. These three are in the perfect combination in broccoli. Broccoli also contains isothiocyanates (which you read about in inflammation) which help control the detox process at a genetic level.

8. Diet Aid

Broccoli is a smart carb and is high in fiber, which aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar, and curbs overeating. Furthermore, a cup of broccoli has as much protein as a cup of rice or corn with half the calories.

9. Alkalizes Your Body

Like many vegetables, broccoli helps keep your whole body less acidic, which has a host of health benefits. Read the dangers of an over acid body at: Balance Your Body.

Next Page: Interesting Trivia & Tips for Use

Get to Page 3 to see 2 very funny videos about broccoli.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/love-it-or-hate-it-broccoli-is-good-for-you.html#ixzz1wTne7WmI

Another amazing powerfood article I enjoyed by Diana.

13 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds: 
Pumpkin seeds are the only seed that is alkaline-forming; in this world of highly acidic diets, that is a very good thing.

Pumpkin seeds taste so good that I add them to many of my meals. They are easy to make highly digestible by soaking for only six hours. I have added a video of this soaking process for you to watch on the last page.

Happy Independence Day Everyone
I know that has nothing to do with the most recent powerfood post by Diana but I just had to say that.
This week it is one LEMONS. - the most alkaline food there is.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/16-health-benefits-of-lemons.html  

enjoy

9 Health Benefits of Almonds

1.  They reduce heart attack risk.

Those who consume nuts five times a week have about a 50 percent reduction in risk of heart attack according to the Loma Linda School of Public Health.

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2.  They lower ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Almonds added to the diet have a favorable effect on blood cholesterol levels, according to a clinical study by Dr. Gene Spiller, Director of the Health Research and Studies Center, Inc.

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3.  They protects artery walls from damage.
It was found that the flavonoids in almond skins work in synergy with the vitamin E, thus reducing the risk of heart disease (Research at Tufts University).

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4.  Almonds help build strong bones and teeth.
The phosphorus in almonds helps make this possible.

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5.  They provide healthy fats and aid in weight loss:

• Although nuts are high in fat, frequent nut eaters are thinner on average than those who almost never consume nuts. (Data from the Nurses’ Health Study)
• Those who ate nuts at least two times per week were 31 percent less likely to gain weight than were those who never or seldom ate them in a study involving 8865 adults. (WHFood’s article on almonds)

6.  Almonds lower the rise in blood sugar and insulin after meals.

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7.  They help provide good brain function. 

Almonds contain riboflavin and L-carnitine, nutrients that boost brain activity and may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

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8.  They nourish the nervous system.

According to Ayurveda, almonds help increase high intellectual level and longevity.

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9.  They alkalize the body.
Almonds are the only nut and one of the few proteins that are alkaline forming.  When your body is not alkaline enough, you risk osteoporosis, poor immune function, low energy and weight gain.

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Did you know?

• Almonds are actually stone fruits related to cherries, plums and peaches.
• 2.51 million tons of almonds were produced in 2010 according to Food and Agriculture Organization.
• United States is the largest producer of almonds. Unfortunately, it also demands that almonds are pasteurized or irradiated. Read more at:  The Killing of California Almonds
• From ancient Egypt to modern times, almonds have always been a popular ingredient in lotions and potions.

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Next Page:  Almond Nutrition, almond concerns and 8 great ways to use almonds.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-health-benefits-of-almonds-king-of-nuts.html#ixzz2ECaDPWpp

It is always great to know about varies foods that power health, and I learned that almonds protect teeth. A good thing to incorporate in green salads and in fresh fruit salads and for the holidays, dressing and turkey.