Nutrition Frenzy

Not long ago I read an article (nothing high-brow, People perhaps?) featuring the super-gorgeous Halle Berry.

Halle explained to all us mere mortals how she keeps her remarkable bod in stellar shape (apparently, even those blessed with perfect genetics have a trick or two).

Here’s the thing: Halle adds cayenne pepper to her morning protein shakes!

Now why is it that I remember this tidbit of information? Well, I think maybe it’s because it struck me as being so utterly disgusting. A frothy cayenne pepper shake? No thanks. But the article did prompt me to do further investigation into hot peppers and how they can aid weight loss and stimulate metabolism.

How Does Red Pepper Encourage Weight Loss?

Hot peppers owe their fat-fighting, metabolic-boosting properties to a compound called capsaicin. If you’ve ever eaten a burrito worth its salsa, chances are good that you’re already familiar with capsaicin - it’s what gives hot peppers that fiery flavor. It appears capsaicin is able to decrease hunger by blunting the hunger message the intestines send to the brain. Capsaicin can also increase metabolism by raising your internal temperature. It’s not just your mouth that feels hot when you eat jalapenos– your entire body responds by generating heat!

Who Else Is Fired Up About Hot Peppers?

Halle isn’t the only one who thinks peppers are hot.
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hot peppers, weight loss, metabolism

Tibetan Goji Berries are one of the most nutritionally-rich superfoods on the planet.

An ancient treasure, this little berry has been used for centuries to strengthen the immune system, stimulate release of human growth hormone by the pituitary, build muscle and strength, increase sexual potency and promote longevity.

Why Goji is Glorious:

According to the ORAC Scale, a test used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to measure a food’s anti-oxidant ability to destroy and neutralize free radicals, the Tibetan Goji scores 25,300. To put this score in perspective, on the ORAC scale oranges score 750, spinach: 1260, broccoli: 890. And even if you are into prunes, they still fall far short with a score of only 5770.

More facts about Goji Berries:

–Contain 18 amino acids, including all 8 essentials making it a complete protein source!
–Over 20 trace minerals (like calcium, iron, germanium, phosphorous and zinc)
–More beta carotene than carrots
–More Vitamin C per ounce than oranges
–Low in sugar (about 4g per serving. Substantially less than other dried fruit like raisins
–High Fiber-about 4g per serving
–Tasty! No yuck-factor here. Dried Goji berries are slightly sweet (like a cross between a raisin and a cranberry) and add delectable chewiness to trail mix, yogurt, oatmeal or salad. Gojis also can be blended into your smoothie or protein shake.

Before You Go Goji:

Be sure to buy cold-pressed, air-dried Goji that are raw - meaning they have never been exposed to heat processing and do not contain preservatives.

The Goji Controversy:
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Goji Berries, superfoods, human growth hormone, sexual potency

Do not be frightened my dear, learning a little about a raw food diet does not mean that your next meal will involve chopping the postman into tiny pieces and serving him atop bruschetta. Nor will I be instructing you on how to prepare stone cold, bloody beef-patties for your little ones.

Not long ago I was a bit skeptical myself, so I know these are the types of gruesome scenarios the words “raw foods “ conjure. But after some investigation, I found that the majority of raw “foodists” are either vegetarian or vegan, thus most recipes do not involve the serving of corpses a la mode. In fact, I have found that a raw food diet actually includes a variety of delights.

For example, how does coconut fudge strike you? Raw chocolate pudding? Almond halvah?

Now that I hear you cheering, “Raw Raw Raw! Feed me raw!!!”, I’ll tell you a bit more about how you can incorporate raw foods into your life. Personally, I enjoy warm, cooked, fish and turkey. I also believe that there are some foods like broccoli and tomatoes that have more nutrients when they are cooked. Therefore, a 100% raw foods kitchen is not for me. You may or may not feel the same way.

In either case, incorporating at least some raw foods into your diet can deliver substantial nutritional rewards - even if you still sneak in some hot lasagna on occasion.

To get you up to speed, here is a bit of the philosophy behind raw foodism: Of utmost importance is that the food be, well, raw. This means that food can be warmed, but shouldn’t be exposed to heat much higher than body temp.

The reasoning behind this principle is that when food is heated, up to 80% of the nutrients and vitamins are destroyed along with 100% of the food enzymes. These enzymes are responsible for metabolic processes of the body. Raw foodists contend that a meal rich in food enzymes basically digests itself. Therefore, after putting down a raw foods meal, you are full of energy, not depleted from breaking down your grub.

I find this quite compelling. Think about it – things like red meat digest by rotting in your gut, a process that can take days. What a burden on your system! I’d rather use my energy for more important things - like shopping!

As I mentioned, there was a time not long ago that raw foods sounded ominous to me. But once I finally gave raw cuisine a chance, I was pleasantly surprised. I truly enjoyed not only the taste, but also the feeling of tremendous energy. Satisfied but not lethargic, is the best way to describe it.

I know word on the street is that preparing raw foods can be time consuming and involves lots of crazy kitchen gadgets not found on the typical Williams-Sonoma wedding registry.

That’s why I was totally fired up when I came across Matt Amsden’s beautiful cookbook Rawvolution: Gourmet Living Cuisine. This book made me realize, hey, I can make this stuff!

This book delights the senses (it is also where you can find simple recipes for both coconut fudge AND chocolate pudding ) with beautiful photography, easy to follow recipes and a nice chapter about the raw food philosophy.

An added bonus is that author, Matt Amsden is easy on the eyes. Imagine a Brad Pitt- Matthew Mcconaughey hybrid….mmmmmmmmmmm.
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raw food diet, raw food diet, metabolic processes, Rawvolution, Matt Amsden

Just a sprinkle of flaxseed, a nutty-tasting nutritional powerhouse, can make a huge impact on your life!

Why’s Flax So Fab?

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Flax is known as the richest source of essentials fatty acids such as Omega 6 and Omega 3 which are essential to cell membrane formation, active brain tissues and in controlling cholesterol. These fatty acids MUST be consumed through diet, our bodies have no way of producing them.

Fight Cholesterol: As part of a daily diet, flax has been shown to reduce total cholesterol by reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.

Defeat Diabetes: Eat flax daily to help lower blood sugar levels. In a recent study by the University of Toronto , test subjects who ate bread made with flax seed had blood sugar levels 28% lower than their counterparts who ate whole wheat flour bread.

Cream Cancer: Flax has a high lignan content (up to 800% more than any other tested plant food), alpha-linoleic acid and fiber which combine to provides natural cancer-protective compounds. Flax is an especially potent fighter of breast and colon cancer.

Combat Constipation: Firing cannon balls into the potty? Or just straining to fire off anything at all? Flax to the rescue! High in both soluble and insoluble fiber, one ounce of flax provides 32% of the USDA’S recommendation for daily fiber intake.

Address Arthritis: Do you suffer from an inflammatory disorder including rheumatoid arthritis? Push too hard in your workout? Flax can help. The bounty of Omega 3’s in flax eases joint pain and stiffness .
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As you chomp down on your morning doughnut, ask if yourself if you really know what you’re eating and if you’ll be happier and healthier for having eaten it . . . .

We all know that sugar is a significant cause of weight gain and aging, but the taste of sweetness remains a powerful seductress that often gets the best of us. It’s true that by cutting refined sugar out of your diet you can curb sugar and carbohydrate cravings. But the fact is, a little bit of sweetness in our lives produces endorphins that make us happy, and happiness is important!

Let me introduce you to a product that can change your life. Seriously, I may pee my pants, I’m so excited . . . . STEVIA!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT IS STEVIA???

Stevia Rebaudiana is a naturally sweet herb from the Chrysanthemum family. Europeans first learned of the Stevia plant in the 16th century, but the compounds were not studied, documented and finally revealed until 1931.

-All Natural: No artificial anything
-No Calories (you thought there’d be some but your’re wroooong)
-No Carbs (For those of you still stuck in Atkins- land)
-No Sodium
-10x sweeter than sugar

HOW COME I DON’T KNOW ABOUT THIS? WHAT’S THE CATCH?
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weight gain, STEVIA

Nutrition and weight loss are closely connected.

Let’s start the week by getting back to basics. Even if you’re working out seven days a week, you’re still going to look like crap if you eat like crap. Whether you’re a novice or a health, fitness and nutrition freak like me, it’s always good to get refocus on the fundamentals of nutrition.

Here are seven great nutrition tips and principles to help you achieve your weight loss goals:

1. Prepare Meals In Advance

2. Eat About Every Three Hours

3. Do Not Eat To Get Full

4. Eat Lean Protein With Each Meal

5. Eat Natural Foods

6. Do Not Drink Beverages That Contain Calories

7. Have Only One Cheat Meal Per Week

More on these seven nutrition tips here:

More great health, fitness and nutrition tips from DrClay.com.

nutrition tips, weight loss

It’s the weekend, so I thought we’d have a little fun with one of my favorite music artists - Keith Urban.

Now, what does Keith Urban have to do with nutrition and fitness? Well, other than his rock’n body, not much. At least that’s what I thought.

Then I came across a group of (mostly women it seems) who apparently are motivated to achieve their health, fitness, and nutrition goals by, you guessed it, Keith Urban. Not sure whether it’s his amped up music, his bad boy looks, or his tight buns, but, I say use whatever motivates you!

Here’s a couple motivational videos for all of us to try. Let me know what you think!

“You’re My Better Half”

“You’ll Think of Me”

So, what do you think? Feeling motivated?

health, fitness, and nutrition

Whether you are looking to increase stamina and fitness, fend off aging and disease or just fit into a pair of skinny-jeans, good nutrition is the key.

I’d love to be able to tell you that I became interested in nutrition because of my burning desire to become a healthier human being. But the truth is, as a fitness model, I was tired of ass-busting workouts and tiny, low-calorie, low-fat meals, which still weren’t getting me the body I wanted.

Convinced that deprivation was not the solution, I began honing a nutrition plan that drew from the most knowledgeable leaders in the nutritional field – Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, to name a few. I also incorporated nutritional pointers I had gathered through the years from top personal trainers and nutritionists.

Results came fast and furious - a leaner, more toned physique, thicker, shiner hair and glowing skin. I also became accustomed to what it feels like to actually “exude energy.”

But before this becomes an “All About Me” episode, let me tell you why all this matters to YOU.

What I am going to share with you is the simple truism that has changed my life. Here it is: Nutrition, health and beauty are completely interconnected.

That’s it! Make nutrition a priority in your life and all the other pieces fall into place. (more…)

nutrition