Life Change Habits

Quinoa is a flowering plant in the amaranth family that is grown for its edible seeds. It is pronounced KEEN-wah . Technically quinoa isn't a cereal grain. It's actually a seed which is prepared and eaten like a grain. Quinoa is an ancient plant that was a staple food crop for the Inca Empire. The Incas referred to it as the "mother of all grains" and believed it to be sacred. There are three main types: white, red and black. Although quinoa seed has been consumed for thousands of years in Andes mountains of South America, its popularity has mushroomed  in recent years. Since its benefits to health became known and verified by nutritionists it has become a trendy superfood.  These include:   Quinoa is Highly Nutritious One cup (185 grams)of cooked quinoa contains: Protein: 8 grams. Fiber: 5 grams. Manganese: 58% of the RDA. Magnesium: 30% of the RDA. Phosphorus:28% of the RDA. Folate: 19% of the RDA. Copper: 18% of the RDA. Iron: 15% of the RDA...

Kale .. is loaded with nutrition. Along with broccoli and other brassicas, kale contains sulphoraphane, (particularly when chopped or minced), a chemical that has potent anti-cancer properties. Kale is especially rich in Vitamin K, A and C,beta carrotene, lutein and zeaxanthan. Kale also contains a number of essential minerals including manganese, copper, tryptophan and calcium. Kale also contains dietary fiber, potassium, Vit B6, B 2, B1 and B3, iron and magnesium. The young tender kale greens are good for salads. The mature kale is a great winter vegetable, when other greens are less plentiful. It is somewhat frost tolerant, so it can be grown as a winter vegetable in milder climates. Mature kale can either be stir-fried, steamed or else slow-cooked in a crock-pot. Boiling decreases the nutritional value. I like to put chopped kale in the crock-pot with about a cup of water and tsp. of sea salt, then let it cook slowly for several hours. You can add some carrots or small potat...

Many health experts consider any whole food that is low in calories and has a high nutrient density or above-average nutritional benefits as a superfood. These nutritional benefits vary greatly depending upon the particular superfood, but according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), many of these antioxidant-rich foods may help reduce your risk for fatal diseases like cancer. In fact, according to the 2011 ACS Guidelines for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention, a third of the annual cancer deaths in the United States are caused by poor diet and lack of adequate physical activity. If you're looking to improve your health, it's best to stay away from highly processed foods devoid of important macro and micronutrients. When you're at the grocery store, shop the outside aisles to avoid the pre-packaged foods high in glycemic load, calories, unhealthy fats and preservatives. One sign of high nutritional content when it comes to produce is color. Ch...

Mornings can be hectic as you're rushing around to get ready for the day, leaving for work or school, perhaps getting the family going as well. So what's on your menu-- maybe a quick bowl of cereal, or just coffee? Do you some times even skip breakfast, and pick up something along the way at a fast food place or convenience store? Fast food breakfasts are typically loaded with fat, sugar and empty calories. Typical cereals such as krispy rice, corn flakes or fruit loops are loaded with empty calories from refined carbohydrates and high in sugars. They give you a quick energy boost, but typically you'll be hungry again by mid-morning, so you grab a doughnut or some junk food for a snack to spike your energy level again. By lunch-time you're ravenous so you may fill up with some heavy duty meal. Here are five ideas for quick yet nutritious breakfasts to get your day off to a more solid nutritional start: 1. Kashi cereal, which is made from whole grains,low in sug...