WHAT IS LIFE?

Nature 

Since the beginning of time, the question of life has always been the favorite theme of man. 

For many, life (as far as they are concerned) consists of who they spend it with; without a partner, there is no life just a mere existence. Hence the absence of that loved one is considered anguish. Live not to exist.

FOODS: EATING TO LIVE? OR LIVING TO EAT?

Like everyone else, we all strive to obtain and maintain a healthy lifestyle. There is no doubt that diet plays a critical role in both our health and development.
As we examine one of the ways we prepare our meals and the virtues of the use of certain food may we be in a better position to maintain our health.

BARBECUE – A very popular mode of cooking, however, care needs to be taken when using this method, as cancer-causing substances are formed when the fat from the meat drips onto the hot coals, causing a deposit onto the food through the smoke. Exposure can be minimized by partially cooking these foods either by baking or parboiling.
Care – covering the barbecue bars with punctured aluminum foils before cooking will protect the food from the smoke and fire.

LEGUMES – an excellent source of protein is very useful in the diet; because of the rich content source of fiber found in beans and pulses the stomach is filled quite quickly, as you receive your supply of energy.

BROCCOLI - rich in vitamin c and beta carotene, possessing potassium and other minerals is an excellent cancer-fighting agency. Broccoli can be eaten raw however steaming and stir-frying will help to retain the most nutrients of this wonderful vegetable.

STEVIA  - a South American herb used as a natural sweetener for centuries;  A natural alternative for sugar and artificial sweetener.  It has zero calories and zero carbs. It is 25-30 times sweeter than sugar. http://www.stevia.com/

PASTA – mood food, because of the presence of serotonin, carbohydrates like kinds of pasta gives you a very good feeling; a useful source of iron and vitamin that will prove beneficial to the body.

May we deny our appetites of the things that will prove injurious to us; let us preserve a good physical constitution, which will help us not just mentally but morally.  Choosing carefully those foods that best supply the elements needed for building up the body; eating healthy foods only serves to give us the best quality of blood. The good news is it is in the power of our hands to take care of ourselves by eating well.

There is no difficulty, however great, but will yield a rich harvest when we practice a healthy lifestyle. Not until we have gone deeply and searchingly at changing the old way and making way for the new will we be able to maintain that healthy life. Many bad habits we will have to overcome but if we persevere we will be richly rewarded. As we strive to direct and make re-adjustments we will experience that transforming life with each passing day.

To stand face to face with truth, and be able to embrace it, is the first step to victory. Such is our divine destiny, such should be our glorious goal; we can only begin to enjoy our optimal health when we cease to whine. As we adapt our minds to our condition and what we ought to do we then begin to build and discover the hidden power and possibilities within us!  Let us seize the opportunity today.

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WHAT IS BEAUTY? – HOW DOES FOOD HELP?

 What is beauty? The beauty industry makes millions each year as thousands strive to maintain, or hang on to their youthfulness. The battle of the bulges continue to rage on.

The dictionary gives several definition for beauty but the one I prefer is “The combination of all the qualities of a person or thing that delight the senses and please the mind.” 

Countless as a result of their misguided understanding of beauty rob themselves of health and vigour in the race to become thin or through expensive plastic surgery to change; add or remove some elements that they think will enhance their beauty.

TOP FIVE ANTIOXIDANT: IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

It is recommended that we eat well, therefore we owe it to ourselves to eat well or it will tell. Did you know that the vast majority of us know that there are foods that kill and foods that restore yet we adopt an attitude of carelessness as it relates to our well being until that visit to the  doctor and we hear those dreaded words spoken to us…You are dying…

Many act as if the more you eat is the longer you live, this is not true; scientist have proven a very low calorie lifestyle actually extend life. In addition restricting calories not only delays ageing but even reverses some of its consequences. None need to compromise health in order to cut calories; care should be taken to ensure we have balanced meals. It is cheaper to eat well than to lose weight; and eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables will help us  consume fewer calories which eventually will play a key role in managing our weight.

fruit-salad

Fruits – why is it so essential for us to eat more of this? Research has shown that many diseases such as cancer and heart disease can be prevented or the risk lowered as a result of the consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables. Prunes and prune juices contain dietary fibres which are excellent home remedies for constipation, also a rich source of antioxidant which prevents the destruction of healthy cells, by interacting and stabilizing free radicals preventing the damage they may cause. The other fruits that are numbered among the top five (5) are raisins, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. 

The top five (5) vegetables listed are Kale, Spinach, Brussels sprouts, Broccoli and Beetroot These vegetables will sustain health and provide us with adequate amount of antioxidant to help us in the fight of life. Kale an excellent source of beta carotene and vitamin c, good source of folate, calcium, iron and vitamin B6; it also contains bioflavonoids and other substances that protect against cancer.

So closely is health related to our happiness, that we cannot have one without the other. How few know anything about the structure and functions of their own bodies. Many are drifting about without knowledge, as to the proper care of our bodies, like a ship at sea without compass or anchor; sadly some are not interested to learn how to keep their bodies in a healthy condition and prevent disease. As research continues to identify these antioxidant phyto-chemicals in our food; and we exercise and strengthen our muscles; as our appetite improves may we continue to eat well of those foods that will bring healing to our bodies and make us happier people.

FOOD: THE SECRET OF FOODS THAT RESTORES

Food is not only eaten for satisfaction but it is used in the healing process of mind and body. We can choose to eat the foods that heal or we can choose to eat that which harms, whatever our choice we should be prepared for the consequence.

Have you noticed how the question of depression seems to be a topic no one can overlook? Or how the young seems to be having this malady thrusts upon them? Depression what is it? For centuries many famous people have been plagued by this terrible illness, no one is exempt from the problem of depression.

Depression is defined as a state of feeling sad; dejection. It is also described as a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, with a significant decrease or increase in appetite and time spent sleeping; a feeling of hopelessness and sometimes suicidal tendency.

Sir Winston Churchill refers to it as the “black dog.” As he often had bouts of paralysing depression. Clinical depression however is different and the sufferers can benefit from medications. Let us make the distinction between clinical depression from the normal feelings due to disappointment which disappear as fast and mysteriously as it came. 

Statistics show that older people are more prone to depression than younger people though the symptoms are not as easily diagnosed among the elderly as they do not always exhibit the classic signs.

It is therefore imperative that we pay attention to our health by ensuring we eat the foods that are essential for a healthy mind as eating the right food can actually help to stabilise mood.

Here are lists of things that are recommended to ensure we keep our mind healthy:-

A balanced diet is suggested along with oily fish and food sources of vitamin B6 and B12; Linseeds, rapeseed oil and walnuts are other sources of omega -3 fatty acids. Also making sure there is not a lack of folic acid in the diet. Avoiding stimulants like caffeine which can interfere with sleep and mood.  As well as alcohol this can be a depressant.

As you limit your sugar consumption and consume more whole grains, bananas, potatoes, getting enough folate from the green leafy vegetables; not forgetting your orange juice,  while making sure you eat your asparagus, lentils, corn, peas and seeds. Note Asparagus contains purines, which are substances that promote the over production of uric acid therefore gout sufferers should consume this in moderation.

Water, so much can be said about it; here we see the importance of drinking plenty of this wonderful liquid as we strive to live a healthy life; may we continue to pay attention to details as it relates to our health and above all keep a healthy attitude.