THE GOOD GINGER

Here's an article about recent studies showing that ginger has pain reducing properties.

In the study, participants were given exercises to purposely injure their elbows. They were then given either a placebo, raw ginger soup, or cooked ginger soup for their pain. The participants that ate the raw ginger soup had 25% less pain than the placebo group, the cooked ginger soup group had 23% less pain. Yet another amazing property of ginger!!

In case you forgot, ginger root can also:
*Aid digestion (by speeding motility and reducing inflammation)
*Prevent ulcers
*Treat heartburn
*Possibly reduce cholesterol levels (so far in rats, waiting on human trials)
*Help prevent certain cancers (like ovarian and colon)
*Speed cold and flu recovery
*Provide relief from menstrual cramps
*Reduce systemic inflammation
*Aid systemic circulation
*Increase metabolism and aid in weight loss

and much much more!!!

So go ahead and grate some ginger into your salad dressing or steep some chopped up ginger in you tea. The benefits of ginger, not to mention the flavor, are just too good to pass up!

THE DAIRY REALITY

HERE is an EXCELLENT article that finally tells the truth about dairy and provides 6 reasons why you should "avoid it at all costs".

SPOILER: milk is not good for you!

Research has shown that dairy not only DOESN'T help to build strong bones, it can actually cause bone LOSS (it has to do with dairy's acidity and the protein in milk). Read the full article, or just the bullet points, to get a better idea regarding the reality of dairy (like how the USDA's food pyramid and recommended servings were created by agricultural industry, meaning the people who stand to profit from you consuming their products are the ones telling you to EAT their products, with the clout of the government behind them).

Additional research not mentioned in this article has also linked dairy to cancer. The precise numbers: 90% of cancers are PREVENTABLE, only 10% are caused by genetics. Of the 90% of cases that are preventable, the number one factor found to have increased overall cancer risk? Increased casein intake, the PRIMARY PROTEIN IN ALL DAIRY.

Dairy production also:
*Pollutes drinking water due to run off from farms
*Contributes to the VEAL INDUSTRY (momma cow has the get pregnant to make milk->if she has a boy he is no use to the dairy industry->baby-boy is sold to be confined, killed, and sold as veal meat)
*Contributes to starvation around the globe (since the resources required to produce dairy and meat are far more than those required to produce veggies and grains, therefore leading to less overall food production)

As a former cheese addict, I will admit that my recent venture into dairy-free living was rocky. At first I felt such a strong urge to snack on some cheese that it felt like torture to go without! Lasagna, pizza, pasta, Mexican foods!!! After learning more about the effects protein in milk have on the brain, I now understand that I was LITERALLY addicted to cheese. That's right: dairy has similar effects to opioids (ie: HEROINE!) on the brain, and boy did I go through withdrawal!

But now that it's become habit and I've been without cheese for an extended time, I don't crave dairy like I used to and to be completely honest, I don't miss it at all. No more cravings and I'm fully satisfied by the food that I eat.

Check out the video below for more info on the realities of dairy:

TREATING DEPRESSION

HERE is an article reiterating what I already knew after working as a psychiatric nurse: Antidepressants are NOT effective in treating depression.

Antidepressants have been shown in several studies to have equal efficacy to a placebo, meaning that it is more the idea of the antidepressant helping people rather than the pill itself. Perhaps short-term, in a crisis, adding an antidepressant to an overall treatment plan may yield some benefits, but for long-term treatment, I have seen antidepressants cause more harm than good. ECT (electro-convulsive therapy) is still by far a better treatment than medication.

The main flaw in antidepressants is the pill itself: it isn't really effective. Why, you may be asking? Because no matter how much you alter brain chemistry, if you do not alter the way you react to negative emotions and life events you will never free yourself from the grips of depression. Not to mention the side effects many antidepressants have on your sex life...

It is the way we interpret our world that has the biggest effect on mood and as far as altering your responses, therapy with someone OTHER THAN a psychiatrist (ie: a psychologist, a social worker, an MFT, etc.) is the most effective since psychiatrists tend to push medication rather than treating the underlying issues. DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) are some of the treatment approaches that I have seen work best, and neither one comes in a pill.

And that is where the second half of the problem arises: we as consumers crave a quick fix. We want to just take a pill and be better. The prospect of instant gratification is intoxicating! Unfortunately, battling depression takes hard work and time, just like effective treatment of high blood pressure takes a commitment to long-term behavioral changes. We are only lying to ourselves and setting ourselves up for more disappointment (and deeper depression) when we pin our hopes on a pill.

The upside of pills as treatment in the field of psychiatry? It's a quick way to treat a patient and get them out the door while covering your ass legally. You have concrete proof that you did something to treat the person without wasting the time treating them (doctors are pressured to see as many patients as possible, since reimbursement to the hospital and payment to the doctor increase with each additional patient cared for). Psychiatrists and NP's are the only mental health professionals who are licensed to prescribe medication, making those who are trained instead solely in actual therapy/psychology much better long-term therapists.

It takes hard work, but if you (sometimes with the aid of a friend or family member) can just drag yourself to see a therapist consistently, there is still hope in the treatment of depression. :)

THE TRUTH ABOUT AGAVE: NOT SO SWEET

HERE is an article about the reality of purportedly healthy sweetener, Agave.

Basically, agave syrup/nectar is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) with an extremely effective marketing campaign. Much like HFCS, it comes from a natural source (the agave plant, as HFCS originates from corn), but like HFCS, it is processed into a syrup, where the fructose concentration reaches super unhealthy levels. Even the "raw" agave is awful for you! Don't buy the hype!

As an Agave convert who was using it for all my sweetening needs, I was reluctant to believe that this delicious sugar substitute was not only unhealthy, but horrendously bad for me. "It's low on the glycemic index", I told myself, "and it's from a natural source, so how can it be bad for me?" Well, I finally sat down and did some research and, after learning how fructose is broken down in the body, it became very clear that agave syrup should be avoided at all costs.

As piece of mind for all of you out there trying to make sense of the conflicting Agave messages, here is the basic science behind WHY agave is awful for you:

1) Fructose, a monosaccharide (aka simple sugar, mono meaning "one"), is the most unhealthy sugar you can eat UNLESS it is bound to fiber and nutrients, like in fruit, or bonded with glucose (another simple sugar) in which case the bonded glucose and fructose make sucrose, a disaccharide (aka a more complex sugar, di meaning "two"). You can read more about studies that have shown a correlation between increased fructose in diets and inflammation throughout the body here . (So remember: fructose + glucose = sucrose)

2) PROPORTIONS:
-Table sugar is 50%/50% fructose/glucose, and because of the equal proportions, many of the sugars are bound together, creating sucrose (the disaccharide mentioned above).
-HFCS is 55%/45% fructose/glucose. Not a huge difference in proportion, but the slight increase in fructose destroys the balance of fructose to glucose, so almost NONE of the resulting HFCS has bonded sucrose, therefore your body receives a HUGE surge of fructose all at once, rather than having to take the time to digest and break apart the sucrose into glucose and fructose.
-Agave Syrup is 70-90%/30-10% fructose/glucose!!!! With just a 5% difference, there are HUGE negative effects on the body, so just IMAGINE how awful it is for your body to process almost PURE fructose! Due to the proportions, NONE of the sugar in agave is bonded to create sucrose, so your body doesn't slow down the processing by breaking down sugars, it instead has to process a massive load of sugar all at once.

3) While the breakdown of glucose relies on insulin and can take part in almost every cell in the body, Fructose can ONLY be broken down in the liver. Since fructose isn't primarily broken down by insulin, it does not cause an insulin spike, therefore explaining why it is low on the glycemic index. This may make you think, "oh good! no insulin spike, no fat storage", but this is WRONG! Fat metabolism is reliant upon the LIVER, so overburdening the liver with the processing of fructose impairs fat metabolism, making it more likely that calories from fructose will be stored on the body as fat.

4) The liver has difficulty breaking down fructose. When fructose is digested with fibers/nurtrients in fruit, digestion is slowed, preventing the liver from having to process too much fructose at once, therefore preventing the liver from being overwhelmed so it can continue with all of the other processes it is taking care of simultaneously (like fat metabolism and toxin removal). When the liver is given a surge of fructose to process all at once, like with Agave and HFCS, it stops everything it is doing to focus solely on processing the fructose (think of people rowing a boat when suddenly that boat is flooded with water. The rowers stop rowing so they can bail water from the boat in order to keep it afloat. When they are out from underwater, they start rowing again). This leads to impaired liver functioning, toxin build up, and poor fat metabolism. It also causes damage to the liver (in some cases of people frequently eating HFCS/Agave: early signs of cirrosis)

5) When fructose is broken down, the following nasty byproducts are created:
-Triglycerides (which damage the cardiovascular system and increase risk of heart attack and stroke). The triglycerides and stress on the liver also lead to FATTY LIVER, which can lead to liver failure and death.
-Excess uric acid, which is the cause of gout

Not all sugars are created equal, and free fructose (unbound) is the absolute worst for you. Agave is up to 90% free fructose! Despite the low glycemic index, Agave is still absolutely AWFUL for you! Don't buy the hype, listen to the science.

*****Want more proof of the negative effects of fructose? Watch SUPERSIZE ME (if you've already seen it, go back and watch it again). All of the doctors predicted that the high fat content of his McDonald's-tastic diet would impact his cholesterol levels and harm his cardiovascular system. What they DIDN'T predict was the effect on his LIVER, that (when you look into the science behind the breakdown of fructose and compare it to the fructose content of McDonald's foods) was primarily caused by his intake of HFCS. Look at the increase in his triglyceride levels, URIC ACID levels, Amylase and Lipase levels (liver enzymes). All of these are increased when free fructose, like in agave, intake is increased

Want an Agave substitute? Maple syrup is the best and recent research has shown that it may even have anti-cancer properties! So ditch the cactus and sweeten with trees!

Here's to healthy eating :)

RAW VEGAN COCONUT SOUR CREAM

Easy and super delicious!!! Great on some raw nachos with guacamole, salsa, and nut meat.

You can watch the video HERE.

Coconut is great not only for your waistline, but for your skin and hair as well. This is a great way to replace something harmful (sour cream, which induces inflammation in the body) with something healthful! Enjoy :)

ASPARTAME LINKED TO CANCER

If you or anyone you know are drinking artificial sweeteners in an attempt to lose weight, you MUST READ THIS ARTICLE!

Lifelong studies in animals have confirmed what a myriad of previous studies concluded: that intake of aspartame has carcinogenic effects. In other words, all of those sugar free sodas you have been downing in order to be "healthier" appear to be doing you more harm than good.

Several cancers, including brain cancer, saw statistically significant increases in animals fed aspartame over their lifetime versus a control group, and the test mice were given significantly LESS aspartame than the current recommended daily allowance for humans! Original toxicology tests from the 1960's also showed liver, thyroid, and brain damage in addition to the increased risk of cancer. In other words: aspartame should NOT be consumed by humans.

Studies dating back to 1975 have confirmed the harmful effects of aspartame, but the FDA has yet to ban it from our foods. Why? Because companies that profit from the use of aspartame, from Equal to Crystal Light, will likely lose millions of dollars if it is eliminated.

The government is supposed to be the buffer between upstanding citizens and the ills of society, but in many fields, particularly when it comes to food and toxin regulation in America, our government falls short.

The best way to protect yourself and your family? Don't eat food created in a lab (aspartame, sucralose, etc.), always read labels, and STAY INFORMED! Always ask questions, and as far as food is concerned: the less processed, the better. If you need a low glycemic sweetener, use agave nectar. If you want calorie free, try stevia (but note: stevia has yet to be fully tested, so your best bet is still agave nectar).

YOGA FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Here's a quick yoga routine from Tara Stiles, aimed at helping you burn those holiday calories and tone your hips, buns, and abs. Can be done almost anywhere and is easy to follow!

YOUNGER WITH YOGA

... or with any exercise!

THIS STUDY from Germany was just released showing the anti-aging benefits of life-long exercise.

The study looked at athletes over their lifetimes, examining their cellular function on a genetic level. Ultimately, the DNA in cells of people who exercised regularly during their lifetime functioned as if they were younger, helping to negate normal DNA degradation caused by age.

Exercise: great for your waist, mood, brain, skin, and EVERYTHING ELSE!

Yet another reason to lace up those running shoes or roll out those yoga mats in 2010!

SEASONAL FOODS

Check out our new seasonal foods widget!! It's on the lower right hand side of the blog.

Based on your area, it tells you what fruits and veggies are in season, helping you to shop fresh and local! It changes with each month, so check back to see if what's on your plate is fresh!

Currently in season in December in New York:

1) Apples
2) Broccoli
3) Cabbage
4) Carrot
5) Onion
6) Potato
7) Turnip
8) Winter Squash

IMPROVE YOUR MOOD WITH FOOD

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

2010 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS (AND HOW TO RUN A MARATHON)

Here at SexyHealthyHappy, 2010 has been dubbed "the year of 'no more excuses'"! So much of life and living is mentality and mindset, so let this year be the year that we all focus on changing ours.

If you have a dream, 2010 is the year to stop reminding yourself of all the reasons why you "can't" and just start doing! Each of us is literally capable of anything, we just need to start believing it. This year it's time to take the plunge!

*So you always wanted to write a book, "but there's no way I'll ever get published". POPPYCOCK! How do you know until you try? If we are so afraid of failure that we never act, our lives will forever be filled with regret and what-if's. Don't think, just put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard); you can worry about the future of your book once you're finished writing it!

*So you always wanted to change careers, "but the instability of leaving my current, miserable job could ruin me financially". HOGWASH! If you stay in a field that doesn't make you happy just for the money, in time you'll ruin yourself emotionally. Nothing meaningful is ever accomplished by "playing it safe"; believe in yourself and start pursuing your dream career! True happiness is living the life you love, so stop settling for the life you can "live with". A huge paycheck will never hold a candle to true happiness :)

*So, like Li, you've always wanted to run a marathon, "but I'll never find the time or drive to train for it". HOOEY! If you can breathe and walk, you can get off the couch and start running! Your body can do more than you ever imagined, just give it a try. Stop viewing those 26.2 miles as insurmountable and start walking/running them, one step at a time. Life is short and fragile, so get your ass up and run toward your dreams!

You get the point! Regardless of your dream, start reaching for it! Perfection isn't the goal, self fulfillment is. Do your absolute best and pull out all the stops; it's knowing that you did everything you could to realize your own happiness that is the ultimate reward. Don't get discouraged and don't lose sight of the prize. It's yours to have if you believe it is.

MARATHON TRAINING
You've thought about it for years, dreamed of the triumphant crossing of the finish line, but how to get from now to 26.2 miles can be confusing and overwhelming. Not any more! Check out this training plan for your "how-to" guide from week to week. The show NOVA on PBS did a special where they took a bunch of couch potatoes and trained them for the Boston Marathon in 9 months!! The specialists created the above training plan for them, and almost all of them finished the marathon! If you are already a runner, just pick up the plan from the week where your long run is one you can already accomplish (ie: I will be starting the week with a Sunday run of 8 miles, meaning my training plan will take a little over 3 months). Good luck! Now get out there and start pounding the pavement!

FUN WAYS TO BURN OFF HOLIDAY CALORIES

HERE is an article with 4 fun and easy ways to burn off some extra calories around the Holidays!

But beware: studies show that exercise is NOT the key to losing weight, DIET is. Exercise is still an important tool to obtaining overall health and wellness, but no amount of activity will "make up" for the calories that you eat.

In other words: if you eat a whole pie, don't think that a vigorous run is going to "fix" your binge. It's more important to focus on eating in moderation, exchanging the whole pie for a thin slice, and staying active. The exercise-eating combo can boost total weight loss and help you maintain, but diet is still the key to slimming success!

With this in mind, remember not to be too hard on yourself. No one is perfect! We all have days when the pull of a pistachio gelato pint is too great to resist. It's most important to FORGIVE yourself, focus on your accomplishments, and live in the present; treating each moment like an opportunity to start anew or focus your resolve.

On days when I can't, or am too lazy to, workout, I give myself a pat on the back for dancing during commercials while watching my favorite TV shows. If I over-indulge at dinner, I applaud myself for NOT getting mad/depressed and for staying hopeful. The cumulative impact of your overall activity and eating are more important than your few-and-far-between slip ups. This holiday season, remember to step back, breathe, and focus on the big picture.

Here is a summary of the article's small and fun activities that can help you stay active and positive:

1) Hanging Holiday Lights (90 calories per hour)

2) Ice Skating (484 calories per hour)

3) Shopping (249 calories per hour)

4) Sledding (121 calories per 15 MINUTES!)

HEALTHY HOLIDAYS: PART THREE

So you've committed yourself to watching portion size and avoiding mindless snacking over the holidays, but how are you going to fit in fitness at the family functions?

Simple! Here are a few tips (and a helpful video workout) to help you sneak in some slimming sessions.

PART THREE: Functional fitness

1) Post-meal motion
If you have a dog or a sibling (or a parent, if they're game), bring them along on a walk around the neighborhood after dinner. Studies have shown that a 10 minute post-meal walk can up calorie burning after a meal by up to 10%! So slap on some sneakers and spend some quality time outside with your fam!

2) Early morning exercises
The best time to squeeze in some activity is before your obligations and family time even start. So set your alarm and get in 30 minutes of body-weight resistance work first thing in the morning. Do push-ups, squats, sun salutations, jumping jacks, and the exercises in the video below... just move your body as much as you can! A great way to make sure you push yourself is to set up goals ahead of time (100 total push-ups, 80 total squats, etc.) and just keep going in sets of 15-20 until you reach your goal. Another benefit to exercising in the morning: you've guaranteed yourself a healthy start to the day! Even if you run out of time later, at least you know you've squeezed in some activity each day.

So stop making excuses! Any activity helps and it all adds up! Check out the video below for an awesome and easy full-body workout.

Happy and Healthy Holidays!!!

HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE

I have recently been writing an article regarding the missing piece in our nation's health care debate: our flawed concept/structure/implementation of, in other words our overall approach to, "health" care.

Well, while writing my article I found THIS ARTICLE that summed up everything I was trying to say. It is a MUST READ article for everyone!! So check it out!

And send a link to your friends and family! Changing the mindset of the average health care consumer, aka you and everyone you know, and the dialogue between patients and doctors in regards to "health" and "wellness" are the first steps in reforming our failing system.

So take an active role in your health care and start demanding holistic treatment! And learn more about what "health" SHOULD mean BY READING THE ARTICLE! :)

ANTIBIOTICS BAD FOR BABY

HERE is an article detailing a recent study that links increased rates of birth defects with use of common antibiotics during pregnancy. Very important news for anyone planning on having a baby now or in the near future!!

Antibiotics are often over-prescribed, even in cases where antibiotics are an inappropriate treatment. Talk to your doctor, pregnant or not, before taking antibiotics.

If you are prescribed antibiotics for a viral infection (like the flu or a cold) or a sinus infection, just say NO! Viruses cannot be treated by antibiotics and studies have show that, in the case of sinus infections, steaming your face and using OTC cold medicine (or herbal teas, my preference) are more effective treatments.

And remember, if you are pregnant, make sure to clear herbal teas, supplements, and ANY medications with your midwife prior to taking them!

HEALTHY AND HAPPY

A new study has been released linking increased intake of processed foods and higher rates of depression.
Eating a diet high in fruits, veggies, and fresh fish can help to fend off fatigue and battle the blues. More incentive to eat a fresh plant-based diet! Look good, gain energy, and feel happy :) You can read more about the study from the link above.

As always, when buying fruits and veggies, look for organic and preferably local produce. Better for the earth, waterways, and your body!

SEEKING CARE

Working as an RN in an emergency room, I have seen numerous cases of people coming to the ER for something that they could easily remedy in the privacy of their own home. On the flip side, I have also seen people wait too long to come to the ER with serious symptoms that ultimately lead to a preventable death. So what is a person to do?? How do you know if you should visit an ER or stay at home and tough it out?

Well, as always, I caution that the following are guidelines based on my experience and you should ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU ARE FEELING ILL.

First of all, the purpose of an emergency room is to treat or rule-out ONLY life threatening conditions. If you have had a swollen lymph node for months, for example, and you are beginning to have other symptoms that you fear could be some kind of cancer, the ER is NOT the place to go. Even if you DO have cancer, the ER is not reimbursed by insurance to do the necessary tests to diagnose you. The ER will do basic testing to make sure you do not have a condition that will kill you immediately, but beyond this they will merely tell you to follow-up with your primary care doctor who can do further testing.

The ER only functions if it moves people in and out quickly (whether it be to send you home for further testing or to the ICU for more invasive care) so that rooms are available for newly arriving ambulances and walk-in patients. Also important to note: expect a wait when you visit an ER! Triage, or treatment order based on severity of symptoms, is the nature of care provided in an ER. Even if you arrive to an empty ER with a complaint of abdominal pain and expect quick service, if another patient arrives, say, with a severe head injury, regardless of who arrived first the patient who needs immediate care the most (the head injury patient) will skip to the front of the line, leaving you waiting in your tiny ER room while everyone's focus is on taking care of the other more critical patient. It is frustrating (I have seen people wait 6 hours or more on busy days), but it is part of the unpredictable nature of an ER. If you are stable, meaning you are breathing and your heart is beating without difficulty, you are almost always guaranteed an extended wait at the ER.

So understanding how an ER functions gives you a slightly better idea of what to expect, but how do you know if you need to visit one? Here are some simple guidelines:
WHEN TO GO TO THE ER:

*SUDDEN onset of SEVERE symptoms, ie:
-Crushing chest pain or pressure (if you have a history of anxiety attacks but NO history of ANY KIND of vascular or heart related problems, wait until you have tried calming techniques and any medications you may have at home before going to an ER), with or without pain/tingling in your left arm
-If you have an extensive medical history (particularly a cardiac history like high blood pressure,high cholesterol, previous heart attacks or strokes) and begin excessively sweating, vomiting, feeling severely fatigued, or having uncontrollable nausea WITHOUT presence of a fever (these can all be signs of a heart attack, even without the chest pressure)
-Sudden difficulty speaking, slurring words, numbness or tingling on one side of the body, drooping of one side of the face, weakness on one side of the body (again, if you have a history of high blood pressure or ANY cardiac issues and experience these symptoms, you need to immediately get to an ER! These are symptoms of a stroke)
-Fever above 102 degrees for more than 6 hours (IN CHILDREN, ANY FEVER WARRANTS A CALL TO YOUR PEDIATRICIAN who can direct you to an ER if necessary. Any other fevers in adults: call you primary care doctor before visiting an ER)
-SUDDEN, UNEXPLAINABLE, and INTENSE abdominal pain or flank pain that does not resolve within an hour

*Any kind of trauma, ie:
-Lacerations that may need stitches
-Broken bones or suspected broken bones
-Car accidents
-Head injuries
-Etc.

WHEN TO STAY AT HOME:

*Flu-like symptoms in an otherwise healthy person
-The flu and the common cold are caused by VIRUSES. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics, in fact they cannot be treated at all. The goal of treatment when dealing with a virus in treatment of SYMPTOMS, so taking acetaminophen for fever (if above 102 degrees. Otherwise, fevers are actually beneficial in helping you body kill the virus. Again, in children always consult an MD), drinking LOTS of electrolyte infused fluids (like coconut water and gatorade. Aim for unsweetened like coconut water, and you'll need close to 3 liters a day of fluids if you have a fever or are losing fluids through vomiting or diarrhea), and resting. The biggest risk with the flu is DEHYDRATION, so make sure to drink lots of fluids! And if you are having diarrhea or vomiting, make sure those fluids have electrolytes in them, since you lose potassium when vomiting and put yourself at risk of life threatening hypokalemia.
ALSO NOTE: Watch for signs and symptoms of pneumonia when recovering from flu, since pneumonia is definitely a reason to visit an ER! Symptoms include shortness of breath, productive cough, difficulty catching your breath, and confusion.

*Chronic pain
-Contact you primary care doctor or visit a pain clinic. You are guaranteed only a referral and a LONG wait if you go to an ER with chronic pain symptoms

*Drug seeking
-Upwards of 75% of patients I see in the ER are attempting to obtain narcotics. If you are an addict, please speak with your primary care doctor about treatment options. Taking the MD and RN's time in an ER only puts other patients who need their care at risk.

If you have symptoms that are abnormal and that you cannot explain, call you primary care doctor to set up an urgent appointment. If you do not have a primary care doctor, look for an Urgent Care center, free clinic, or set up an initial appointment to be seen by a new doctor BEFORE heading to the ER. This is the best way to stay healthy, manage your own health care, and keep the ER open an available to you in case you have a health emergency in the future. Good luck and good health!!

SUN SKINNY

New research has been released that shows a correlation between thin people and higher blood levels of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D, also known at the "sun vitamin", also helps to prevent osteoporosis and certain forms of cancer.

So get out in the sun! You only need 15 minutes of unprotected sun-exposure each day to get your recommended dose of Vitamin D.

Soak up the sun and start getting skinny!

FORGET THE FAT

HERE is an article with a list of 30 foods that help your body shed excess fat. The list:






1) Cottage Cheese (look for non-fat)

2) Egg Whites

3) Oatmeal

4) Sushi

5) Peanut Butter

6) Beans

7) Fat-free plain yogurt

8) Lemon

9) Energy Bars (make sure to read the ingredient list and calorie count! Clif is great)

10) Carrots

11) Soy Chips (great replacement for potato chips!)

12) Part-skim string cheese

13) Hummus

14) Edamame

15) Dried Fruit (WATCH PORTION SIZE! And watch out for added sugar)

16) Shrimp

17) At-home Thin Crust Pizza (add tons of veggies to sneak in an extra serving!)

18) Tofu

19) Salsa

20) Poached Chicken

21) Sweet Potatoes (especially the purple kind! Read more about them in my old post HERE)

22) Baked Apples (or raw apples dipped in peanut butter... mmmm!)

23) Fat-free Cool Whip*
*THIS IS A NO-NO! The article may say that this treat is low calorie, but it's also made ENTIRELY from hydrogenated oils... aka trans-fat aka created in a lab aka your body doesn't know what to do with it so it just stores it in your mid section! Stick with regular old light whipped cream (read labels! Watch out for high fructose corn syrup!) and smother some blueberries in it. Great treat and still low calorie!

24) Frozen fruit (watch for added sweeteners!)

25) Fudgesicles (create your own with some vegan chocolate pudding placed in the freezer with a toothpick in the middle!)

26) Fat-free sugar-free pudding (avoid artificial sweeteners and, yet again, READ LABELS!)

27) Angel food cake

28) Fat-free hot cocoa

29) Virgin mimosas

30) Herbal tea (and green tea!)

PURPLE POWER!!

HERE is a place to read more about PURPLE sweet potatoes!! Not only are they beautiful and unique, they also pack a huge antioxidant punch (think the antioxidant that makes blueberries blue) and are LOW on the glycemic index scale, so they are less likely to pack on the pounds and they wont spike insulin levels in the blood!

This is GREAT news for anyone who loves sweet potato fries! Now you can make up a batch at home for your next get-together and have all the flavor and more healthy properties! Not to mention the fact that their color is a great conversation starter. The link I have above has several recipes for you to try :)

Like plain old french fries better but avoid them due to carbs? Try purple peruvian potatoes from your local supermarket. They aren't sweet potatoes... they're regular old fashioned potatoes but with the same antioxidants and decreased gylcemic impact of the purple sweet potatoes. Buy a batch and cut them up, sprinkle with olive oil & salt & rosemary, bake at 350 for 20 minutes and VOILA! A lovely, TASTY, nutritional snack!