My Favorite Health Food Discoveries of the Year

Happy New Year!

Last year my family made some great strides towards better health. We took up clean eating avoiding processed foods as much as we can and for me incorporating a low glycemic index diet as prescribed by my doctor. We are getting back on track after Christmas here but along the way I discovered a few really awesome foods that I wanted to share. I know the New Year is a time when people often try to get healthier so here is my top 3 favorites!

1) Chia Seeds

This little seeds does amazing things! I have found a variety of opinions but settled on a recommendation that a good amount is about 2 tablespoons per day.

• Omega-3 - chia seeds are the richest plant source of Omega-3 (the vital fats that protect against inflammation, such as arthritis and heart disease). In fact, they contain more Omega-3 than salmon! (I also can't stand to take my fish oil pills so this is a great alternative for me!)
•  Help with Weight Loss - reduce food cravings by preventing some of the food that you eat from getting absorbed into your system. The blockage of calorie absorption makes addition to a great diet plan.
• Feel Fuller Faster - chia seeds absorb 10 times their weight in water, forming a bulky gel which helps you feel fuller faster.
• Hydration for athletes - the "chia gel" can hydrate the body.
• Reduce your blood pressure - there's evidence to suggest they can reduce blood pressure.
• Benefits for diabetes - because chia seeds slow down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrates into simple sugars, studies indicate they can control blood sugar. This leads scientists to believe chia seeds may have great benefits for diabetics. (I also believe this makes sense for insulin resistance making them great for me too. 
• Energy Boost - I don't know the scientific reason behind this but I most certainly feel a boost of energy when I use the chia seeds in the morning. 
• Easy to Use - They are easier to digest than flax seeds. You can eat them as seeds or ground up and they can withstand cooking, making it usable in virtually all kinds of cooking since their flavor is so very mild. I've eaten them in practically everything - yogurt, toast w/ peanut butter, spaghetti, tacos, soup - you name it. Its easy!
  
  

 2) Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil literally has hundreds of great uses but I'm just going to list some of the ones I have found to be the most valuable and useful. It has health benefits when it is both ingested and used topically on your skin. It is recommended for adults over age 12 to use between 3-4 tablespoons of the oil per day. I have replaced probably 90% of my cooking oils with Coconut oil.

Type to buy -  I recommend an Extra-Virgin Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil, that way you can use it either topically or in cooking or ingesting. This is what I buy - Natures Way Organic Virgin Coconut. I bought mine online but I've noticed its popping up in stores all over the place. I don't find that it flavors any of my food coconutty but some people are more sensitive to that. If this is you look for an expeller pressed Coconut Oil.

Coconut Oil is:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Antifungal
• Antiviral
• Improves nutrient absorption

Uses:

General Health & Wellness

• Fitness - coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat, while increasing muscle. 
• Helps with weight loss & controlling cravings.
• Digestion - the saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that help control, parasites, and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around. 
• Helps keep blood sugar levels stable and/or helps with cravings in those with diabetes.

Health Problems (that Coconut Oil aids, relieves or cures when taken internally)

• Cholesterol - improves HDL ('good' cholesterol) to LDL ('bad' cholesterol) ratio in people with high cholesterol
• Has helped some people improve symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, results have shown subsequent thyroid blood tests becoming normal
• Eczema – in addition to taking it internally, many have success applying it externally
• Flaky, dry skin
• Skin problems
• Toenail fungus
• Hot flashes
• Bleeding hemorrhoids (can also be applied externally twice a day)
• Improvements in menstruation regarding pain/cramps and heavy blood flow
• Migraines (with regular use)
• Mononucleosis
• Chronic fatigue
• Energy boost
• May relieve acid reflux and indigestion when taken with each meal
• Adrenal fatigue
• Asthma, even in children
• Circulation/feeling cold all the time
• Helps with inflammation in Crohns
• Mental Clarity
• Depression
• Stronger immune system
  
  

Health Problems (that Coconut Oil aids, relieves or cures when used topically)

• Athletes foot
• Back pain/sore muscles
• Canker sores
• Acne
• Cellulite
• Keratosis Pilaris (tiny bumps on the back of arms)
  
  

Personal Hygiene/Body

• Moisturizer – simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face.
• Make up remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!
• Eye cream – apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags, and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.
• Preshave – coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.
• Aftershave – coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores. I have found that using it before and after shaving reduces the incidence of red shave bumps.
• Deodorant – coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda. I have friends who do this with great success. Using something that doesn’t contain Aluminum (which most regular deodorants have) is crucial in fighting breast cancer.
• Chapstick – just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection!
• Massage Oil – pretty simple; grab some and rub!
• Lubricant – it is an all natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant. Not compatible with latex!
• Diaper Rub - very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals.
• Cradle cap – Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.
• Body scrub – mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.
• Healing - when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues.
• Bug Bites – when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.
• Skin problems – coconut oil relieves skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
• Swimmers Ear – mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.
  
  
  

Cooking

• Use 1 cup to 1 cup ratio when replacing other oils/butter in recipes with coconut oil.
• Replacement for butter/lard/Crisco/PAM in it’s solid form – greasing pans, pie crusts, etc.
• Replacement for various oils in liquid form – baking, cooking, sautéing, etc.
• Generally, the melting point of coconut oil is 76 degrees F (24 C). If the temperature is above 76 degrees, the oil will be liquid. If the temperature is below 76 degrees, it will become solid
• Nutritional supplement (can be added to foods such as smoothies)
• Tips - I keep some oils in different places for different things. In Texas its hot so I keep some oils I want solid in the refrigerator and then regular liquid oil out in the cupboard. I also keep my reserves for various body applications separate from what I use for cooking. Wouldn't want my Diaper Rub oil finding its way into the kitchen :).
  
  

Other Uses:

• Insect repellent – mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it all over exposed skin. Keeps insects off better than anything with Deet! Tons safer too.
• Chewing Gum in Hair Remover – just rub some coconut oil over the stuck chewing gum, leave in for about 30 minutes, then roll the gum between your fingertip. Voila! It’s out!

  -adapted from (Hybrid Rasta Mama)

  
  
  

3) Dreamfields Pasta

Ok another favorite discovery of the year was on the heels of trying to incorporate a new low glycemic diet. I love pastas and breads so I thought that would be my biggest challange. My nutritionist suggested Dreamfields Pasta.

This pasta tastes so good and has only 5 net carbs per serving!

•  Digestable Carbs – 5 grams - the recipe protects all but 5 grams of the carbohydrates per serving from being digested and therefore lessens post-meal blood glucose rise as compared to traditional pasta.

•  High in Fiber – 5 grams - contains inulin, a 100% natural prebiotic fiber found in common foods such as artichokes, asparagus, garlic and raisins. By providing a food source for the healthy bacteria living in the gut, prebiotics such as inulin may: help promote healthy digestion, support a healthy immune system, and improve calcium absorption. Inulin is a soluble fiber (like that found in oats, peas and apples) which means it dissolves easily in water and may improve regularity. Soluble fiber can also help reduce cholesterol and glucose levels.

• Low GI – 13 - Dreamfields Pasta has a low glycemic index – hooray for me! 13, that’s super low for a carb!

• It’s Yummy! – I had been eating the whole wheat stuff, which was ok for the most part but Dreamfields has all of the taste and texture of traditional pastas because it’s made primarily with durum wheat semolina just like other high quality pastas.

• So basically you enjoy your pasta, your body only digests and uses parts of it – the good parts and the rest of it … well it just keeps on going through to the, as we say in our family – poo poo! :)
  
  
  Here's to wishing you all a very healthy and bright 2013! What are your favorite superfoods? I love new discoveries that really make a difference.
  
  Blessings,

  Jerra