Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts

Product Review: Beetology--a Healthy and Tasty Drink

(The company sent me Beetology to review.  All of this is my opinion)

It’s a good bet that our ancient ancestors sat down to an infinitely simpler and more nutritious lunch than the tuna sandwiches and chips on our plates today. They used whatever ingredients nature brought their way, “straight up,” with minimal processing if any. And they discovered that certain foods from Earth’s pantry had properties that somehow seemed to make life a little better.  I've always wondered when did food get filled with odd sounding names as ingredients?

Today, of course, we know that different foods contain specific cocktails of nutrients associated with almost every aspect of wellness. And while superfoods have been around for ages, the demand for easy, tasty ways to embrace their powers has never been greater. Moreover, sophisticated consumers are interested in ingredients they can pronounce, served as close to farm-to-table as possible. But not everyone has time to grow and prepare a healthy diet from scratch.

I am very picky when it comes to my drinks and food, so when I was sent Beetology, I was curious because who drinks beets for fun?  I tried Beetology.  I couldn't believe how well it tasted. I even had my husband, son, my mother and my brother try the drink.  They were surprised and loved the drink too.   You can still taste the beets a little bit, but the other flavors add a unique twist to the drink.  My family and I STRONGLY recommend Beetology for being a healthy drink that tastes good!  

Beetology are sweet, organic, cold-pressed juices are made from nothing but beets and a handful of other 100% natural, good-for-you ingredients like ginger, veggies, and fruit.  I added ice to my drink because I like them cold.  If you don't finish your drink, be sure to refrigerate.

Beetology has created a delicious way to drink your beets for optimal health benefits.  According to many sources, beets may improve your health in the following ways.

Here are 5 reasons why you should drink Beetology.

1. Lower Your Blood Pressure
Drinking beet juice may help to lower blood pressure in a matter of hours. One study found that drinking one glass of beet juice lowered systolic blood pressure by an average of 4-5 points.

The benefit likely comes from the naturally occurring nitrates in beets, which are converted into nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide, in turn, helps to relax and dilate your blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.

2. Boost Your Stamina
If you need a boost to make it through your next workout, beet juice may again prove valuable. Those who drank beet juice prior to exercise were able to exercise for up to 16 percent longer. The benefit is thought to also be related to nitrates turning into nitric oxide, which may reduce the oxygen cost of low-intensity exercise as well as enhance tolerance to high-intensity exercise.  My family members and I noticed we had more energy and moved more that day.

3. Fight Inflammation
Beets are a unique source of betaine, a nutrient that helps protects cells, proteins, and enzymes from environmental stress. It's also known to help fight inflammation, protect internal organs, improve vascular risk factors, enhance performance, and likely help prevent numerous chronic diseases.

4. Anti-Cancer Properties
The powerful phytonutrients that give beets their deep crimson color may help to ward off cancer. Research has shown that beetroot extract reduced multi-organ tumor formations in various animal models when administered in drinking water, for instance, while beetroot extract is also being studied for use in treating human pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancers.

5. Rich in Valuable Nutrients and Fiber
Beets are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium (essential for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (which is good for your bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas). Beets also contain the B vitamin folate, which helps reduce the risk of birth defects.

6. Detoxification Support
The betalin pigments in beets support your body's detoxification process, which is when broken down toxins are bound to other molecules so they can be excreted from your body. Traditionally, beets are valued for their support in detoxification and helping to purify your blood and your liver.

Beets are also “a goldmine of health-boosting nutrients that you may not get anywhere else,” according to Health.com. And while scientists have yet to find the key to eternal youth, they’ve long known that beets contain antioxidants like lycopene, which boosts the production of collagen – associated with firmer, younger-looking skin.

“Beets are the new pomegranate,” said Charles Herzog, Chief Beetologist and VP of New Business Development at Kayco, producer of Beetology beverages. “Chefs, foodies, health-conscious folks, and even athletes have been tapping into the versatile beet in creative new ways.” Even Martha Stewart is getting into the act, he added. “Her latest cookbook has a Chocolate Beet Cake! She says pureed beets made it extra moist and not overly sweet.”

Consumers can feel good about serving Beetology anytime, anywhere. Every grab-and-go bottle of Beetology is 100% non-GMO, U.S.D.A. Certified Organic, and Certified Fair Trade. Each variety is non-soy, non-dairy, and certified kosher, with no preservatives, additives, artificial colors, or flavors. 

Beetology is a great way to refuel after a long hike, hard work out or a great yoga class. I love drinking this after I have run my miles for my marathon training.

Delicious, refreshing Beetology comes in five tantalizing blends:

  • Beet + Lemon + Ginger
  • Beet + Veggie
  • Beet + Tropical Fruit
  • Beet + Berry
  • Beet + Cherry
Find Beetology in the refrigerated section at health food, specialty, grocery, and kosher food markets. Beetology is produced by Kayco, one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of Kosher and Specialty food products. For additional information about all Kayco products visit www.kayco.com.

Women Need More Sleep Than Men

Michael Asaly has lived in Orange Country for over thirty-five years.  Twenty of these years have been spent in medical and related sciences at major universities, including more than twelve years at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Over the years Michael has seen an increase in the number of people who suffer from sleep disorders each night.  One of the major sleep disorders being sleep apnea, which has become a significant health issue in the US.  In fact, recent statistics show that over 50 million Americans now suffer from sleep apnea each night. 

What’s even scarier is that over 80 percent of the cases of moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea go undiagnosed. OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), which represents the great majority of the cases, when left untreated can lead to high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems; it is associated with type 2 diabetes and depression; and is a factor in many traffic accidents and accidents with heavy machinery, owing to the persistent drowsiness suffered by many OSA patients before the disease is recognized and treated.


In 2012, Michael combined his years of knowledge and experience, and founded Practical Sleep Solutions, with a mission to help the millions who suffer each night with sleep apnea.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael.

Faten Abdallah (FA: How many hours are actually required when it comes to sleep for women? men? children?   Who actually needs more sleep and why?
Michael Asaly (MA): An average adult needs between 7.5 and 8 hours of sleep per night. But many people can function with 6 hours' sleep, and there are also some who need 9 hours or more.  The amount of sleep needed to function well really varies from individual to individual, and is determined genetically and hereditarily.  The biggest, most dramatic change in our deep sleep and satisfaction with sleep takes place as we move from adolescence into young adulthood when slow-wave deep sleep is replaced by stage II middle sleep which is less restorative

Sleep is broadly split into two big categories: REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when we’re dreaming, and non-REM sleep. Non-REM sleep moves through several, progressively deeper stages:

Stage I: a light doze, not very restorative
Stage II: middle sleep, restorative
Stage III: slow-wave deep sleep, the most restorative of all

Here's a breakdown of ages and the amount of recommended sleep:

Older adults, 65+ years: 7-8 hours
Adults, 26-64 years: 7-9 hours
Young adults, 18-25 years: 7-9 hours
Teenagers, 14-17 years: 8-10 hours
School-age children, 6-13 years: 9-11 hours
Preschool children, 3-5 years: 10-13 hours
Toddlers, 1-2 years: 11-14 hours
Infants, 4-11 months: 12-15 hours
Newborns, 0-3 months: 14-17 hours

FA: What are the benefits of getting enough sleep?  What happens when a person doesn't get enough sleep?
MA: Just like food and water, you need sleep to survive and thrive!  Good sleep = good health and getting a full night's rest can help you steer clear of major heart conditions like high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.  

In my 20 years of experience, one of the best immune boosters comes from having a proper night's sleep.  A full 8 hours is recommend for optimal immune system function.   Recent statistics share that insufficient sleep is a public health epidemic and that there are 50 million Americans who suffer from chronic sleep apnea, which leads to stress in everyday life.  A full night's sleep without wake-up interruptions or snoring is one of the best immune system boosters out there!

If you're not getting enough sleep you can also be prone to:

Lack of alertness: Even missing as little as 1.5 hours can have an impact, research shows.
Impaired memory: Lack of sleep can affect your ability to think and to remember and process information.
Relationship stress: It can make you feel moody, and you can become more likely to have conflicts with others.
Quality of life: You may become less likely to participate in normal daily activities or to exercise.
Greater likelihood for car accidents: Drowsy driving accounts for thousands of crashes, injuries and fatalities each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Lower sex drive: Your libido drops the more tired you are.

FA: What are some tips when having a hard time sleeping?  Can insomnia be prevented?
MA: Combat snoring

About 37 million American adults snore regularly. It certainly disturbs a bed partner's sleep, but "sawing logs" can disrupt the snorer's sleep, too, leading to more daytime sleepiness, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some simple tips may help you keep it under control, like sleeping on your side instead of your back, avoiding alcohol before bed and even losing weight.  One fool proof solution is a simple free sleep quiz.  Which helps diagnose those with Sleep Apnea with an easy and cost effective solution being an APAP Machine from Practical Sleep Solutions.

Reserve the bed for sleep and sex only

Reading in bed or watching TV is a form of relaxation, right? Yes...and no. A page-turner, a mystery or any other book that demands your emotional and intellectual attention may be more distracting than relaxing. Opt for lighter reading before bed, and keep it to the couch or your favorite comfy chair.  That way you keep your bed only for the good things, like sleep and sex.

Get some sunlight first thing in the morning

There's nothing quite like bright light to trigger your brain to stay awake and alert. Getting some natural light -- you'll want to aim for about 15 minutes -- first thing in the morning can help night owls reset their biological clocks and ease into sleep a little earlier.

FA: What are some medical/alternative solutions in aiding sleep?

MA: Recent statistics share that over 50 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea.  My company, Practical Sleep Solutions, is a California based company that provides effective and affordable at home sleep solutions for those who suffer each night.  The process is made simple and affordable without the need for insurance.  As with most classified high-risk conditions, patients are expected to pay more for their life insurance premiums if they are diagnosed with sleep apnea.  This coupled with a long and painful process through the insurance system has resulted in patients taking their sleep issues into their own hands.


Practical Sleep Solutions is the one stop solution to sleep apnea and a perfect night’s sleep!  Our patients are offered a FREE online sleep quiz.  The next step is for patients to purchase an in home sleep test machine.  The recorded data from this machine is then scored and reviewed by a Practical Sleep technician and board certified sleep doctor.  If a patient is diagnosed with sleep apnea they can then purchase a top of the line APAP machine that provides a comfortable and easy at home solution for a full night of restful sleep.    



You can find more information on Practical Sleep Solutions: 


Website:

Recipe: Coco Joy’s Coconut Water Smoothie

Coco Joy offers a variety of all-natural coconut products including: Premium Classic and Flavored Coconut Waters (Watermelon, Strawberry, Pineapple, Banana), Flavored Coconut Water for Kids (Banana and Strawberry), and Natural and Flavored Coconut Milks (Chocolate, Coffee, Banana). Coco Joy’s products are never made from concentrate and are derived purely from fresh coconuts.

Enjoy the yummy Coco Joy's Coconut Water Smoothie.


Ingredients:
1 cup Coco Joy Coconut Water
¼ cucumber, or 1 small cucumber
1 cup kale leaves, large
2 to 3 mint leaves
1 avocado, pitted and peeled
1 banana
1 cup ice *optional, if your banana is frozen
½ tbsp honey

Directions:
1) Combine all ingredients into a blender
2) Blend until smooth, pour into a cup and enjoy!

Treat Yourself-Rural Relaxation and Inspiration from Country Woman's August/September Issue - DIY Home Spa, Famed Artist Jan Brett, More

Country Woman, the magazine for women who live in or long for the country, shows readers how to turn their home into a rural retreat in the August/September issue. Learn how to whip up homemade spa products, crafts and delicious treats from scratch. The issue also features a look into the lifestyle of famous artist, children’s author and champion of chickens, Jan Brett.

Some highlights from the August/September issue of Country Woman include:

Cluck of the Draw - (Cover Story) Check out children’s book author and illustrator, Jan Brett (The Mitten, The Gingerbread Baby) as she talks about her prize-winning chickens and how they inspire her books and art. Find out about her life in the country and her new book coming out this November.

Homemade Spa Products - Skip an expensive trip to the spa and pamper yourself in the comfort of your own home. Country Woman teaches you how to make soaps, moisturizers, masks and scrubs for an all-natural, homemade spa experience. Many of these are suitable for gift-giving, with downloadable gift tags from CountryWomanMagazine.com. Discover the benefits of using various ingredients and more.

Where Canola Oil Comes From - Contributing editor Ann Kaiser goes to the Manitoba prairie to help a farm family with the canola seed harvest and make healthy canola oil. She also includes a special canola oil-based recipe for chocolate banana bran muffins.

Something Old, Something New - Peek into the kitchen of an antiques dealer and see how she mixes vintage with contemporary style. Learn what collectibles to keep an eye out for at yard sales, flea markets and antique stores.

Slow Food - Discover why more people are passing over fast food in favor of from-scratch options, and give it a try with Country Woman’s summery old-time custard ice cream and sweetened ricotta with berries recipes.

Cork Craft - Add a touch of whimsy around the house with cute cork crafts. Find out how to make mini, magnetic cork planters to create tiny, indoor gardens.

The August/September issue of Country Woman is available on newsstands and for digital download on iTunes.  For more information, please visit: www.countrywomanmagazine.com.

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin

wibiya widget

Facebook and Twitter