Food clues to help our body

A friend sent this to me. It's been said that 'God' first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... all before making a human.
I believe that Mother Nature made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. We're such slow learners...

We were left a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them). Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries
Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body

4 eating healthy habits that boost your metabolism

~ I always need a boost in my metabolism and am constantly looking for ways to do this naturally. The below article has some great ideas. ~

written by Theresa Stahl

Tips on what to eat and when to eat—in order to rev up your metabolism.

What is metabolism? Scientifically, metabolism is the sum of all the chemical reactions that go on in the living cells that make up your body. Energy metabolism includes all the reactions by which the body obtains and spends the energy from food. In other words, the process your body uses to convert the calories from food into energy. And basal metabolism is the energy needed to maintain life when a body is at complete rest.

Believe it or not, the majority of energy one burns in a day is for basal metabolism. Basal metabolic rates vary among individuals. For instance, you may know someone who can eat anything and lots of it and yet never seems to gain a pound. On the other hand, you probably also know someone who has a very slow metabolism and eats less than other people and yet struggles greatly to maintain or lose weight. The difference may be in their basal metabolic rates. But, a person's metabolism is not the only factor that determines one's weight. How much you eat, when you eat, what you eat and how much you exercise all play important roles in determining your weight.

Here are some tips to help you "boost" your metabolism:

• Eat breakfast. Eating breakfast enables you to break your nighttime fast, which helps to jump-start your metabolism for the day. Also, breakfast eaters tend to be less hungry all day long and less impulsive about unhealthy snacking. Studies show that people who eat within 1-2 hours after waking are better able to control weight.

• Eat regularly. Skipping meals slows metabolism, causing you to burn less calories and store more calories as fat. Also, you tend to eat more later, especially less healthy choices. Eating every 4 - 5 hours is recommended.

• Eat protein with meals. Protein foods burn more calories to metabolize than carbohydrates and fats and also help you feel fuller for longer. Healthy protein sources include fish, chicken and turkey without the skin, lean meat, skim or 1% milk, eggs and egg substitutes, soy milk or tofu, low-fat, low-sugar yogurt, and beans (legumes).

• Eat adequate calories. Eating a very low calorie diet or skipping meals and taking in less than 1,000 calories a day causes your body to slow down in order to conserve energy.

Because metabolism slows down as you get older, it's even more important to follow the guidelines listed above to help you maintain a healthy weight as you age.

article found on qualityhealth.com

the 5 healthiest foods you're not eating

By Emily Dillon

By now, you probably know which foods you should avoid sugary colas, greasy snacks, fatty fast foods. But what about the many nutritious foods nature has to offer? While many people are familiar with the well-publicized superfoods, such as berries, salmon, and spinach, there's an abundance of lesser-known treats that can also do wonders for your health. The next time you're at the supermarket, be sure to add these health-enhancing treats to your cart.

Beets: This crimson veggie is one of nature's best sources of folate and betaine. When combined, these nutrients lower your blood levels of homocysteine, an inflammatory compound that can damage arteries and increase your heart-disease risk. A recent study conducted by the London School of Medicine found that drinking just 500ml of beetroot juice a day can reduce blood pressure, and the natural pigments that give beets their color, called betacyanins, are proven cancer fighters in laboratory mice.

Cabbage: One cup of this superveggie packs just 22 calories, but don't let that fool you. Cabbage is loaded with valuable nutrients such as sulforaphane, a chemical that increases your body's production of the enzymes that disarm cell-damaging free radicals and reduces your risk of cancer. According to a recent study by Stanford University scientists, sulforaphane boosts your levels of these cancer-fighting enzymes more than any other plant chemical.

Guava: This obscure tropical fruit has almost 9 grams of fiber in every cup and a higher concentration of the prostate cancerfighting antioxidant lycopene than any other plant food. In addition, just one cup of its subtly sweet flesh provides 688 milligrams (mg) of potassium. That's 63 percent more than you'll find in a medium banana.

Purlsane: Although the FDA classifies it as a broad-leaved weed, purslane is actually considered a vegetable and herb in many other countries. According to researchers at the University of Texas at San Antonio, purslane has the highest amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fats of any edible plant. In addition, this herb has 10 to 20 times more melatonin, an antioxidant shown to inhibit cancer growth, than any other fruit or vegetable tested.

Swiss Chard: One half-cup serving of cooked Swiss chard provides 10 mg each of lutein and zeaxanthin. According to Harvard researchers, these plant chemicals, known as carotenoids, protect the retina from age-related damage. Both nutrients, which are actually pigments, appear to accumulate in the retina, where they absorb the type of shortwave light rays that can damage eyes. So, the more Swiss chard you eat, the better your internal eye protection will be.

information from http://www.qualityhealth.com/

Food as Medicine

HEADACHE? EAT FISH! Eat plenty of fish -- fish oil helps prevent headaches. So does ginger, which reduces inflammation and pain.

HAVE FEVER? EAT YOGURT! Eat lots of yogurt before pollen season. Also-eat honey from your area (local region) daily.

TO PREVENT STROKE DRINK TEA! Prevent buildup of fatty deposits on artery walls with regular doses of tea. (actually, tea suppresses appetite and keeps the pounds from invading....Green tea is great for our immune system)!

INSOMNIA (CAN'T SLEEP?) HONEY! Use honey as a tranquilizer and sedative.

ASTHMA? EAT ONIONS!!!! Eating onions helps ease constriction of bronchial tubes. (onion packs to place on chest, help the respiratory ailments and actually made breathe better).

ARTHRITIS? EAT FISH, TOO!! Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines actually prevent arthritis. (fish has omega oils, good for our immune system)

UPSET STOMACH? BANANAS - GINGER!!!!! Bananas will settle an upset stomach.
Ginger will cure morning sickness and nausea.

BLADDER INFECTION? DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE!!!! High-acid cranberry juice controls harmful bacteria.

BONE PROBLEMS? EAT PINEAPPLE!!! Bone fractures and osteoporosis can be prevented by the manganese in pineapple.

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME? EAT CORNFLAKES!!!!
Women can ward off the effects of PMS with cornflakes, which help reduce depression, anxiety and fatigue.

MEMORY PROBLEMS? EAT OYSTERS! Oysters help improve your mental functioning by supplying much-needed zinc.

COLDS? EAT GARLIC! Clear up that stuffy head with garlic. (remember, garlic lowers cholesterol, too.)

COUGHING? USE RED PEPPERS!! A substance similar to that found in the cough syrups is found in hot red pepper. Use red (cayenne) pepper with caution-it can irritate your tummy.

BREAST CANCER? EAT Wheat, bran and cabbage Helps to maintain estrogen at healthy levels.

LUNG CANCER? EAT DARK GREEN AND ORANGE AND VEGGIES!!! A good antidote is beta carotene, a form of Vitamin A found in dark green and orange vegetables.

ULCERS? EAT CABBAGE ALSO!!! Cabbage contains chemicals that help heal both gastric and duodenal ulcers.

DIARRHEA? EAT APPLES! Grate an apple with its skin, let it turn brown and eat it to cure this condition. (Bananas are good for this ailment)

CLOGGED ARTERIES? EAT AVOCADO! Mono unsaturated fat in avocados lowers cholesterol.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? EAT CELERY AND OLIVE OIL!!! Olive oil has been shown to lower blood pressure. Celery contains a chemical that lowers pressure too.

BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCE? EAT BROCCOLI AND PEANUTS!!! The chromium in broccoli and peanuts helps regulate insulin and blood sugar.

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Kiwi: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E &fiber. It's Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants &flavonoids which enhances the activity of Vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

Strawberry: Protective fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits &protects the body from cancer causing, blood vessels clogging free radicals. (Actually, any berry is good for you..they're high in anti-oxidants and they actually keep us young.........blueberries are the best and very versatile in the health field........they get rid of all the free-radicals that invade our bodies)

Orange: Sweetest medicine. Taking 2 - 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessen the risk of colon cancer.

Watermelon: Coolest Thirst Quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients
found in watermelon are Vitamin C &Potassium. (watermelon also has natural substances [natural SPF sources] that keep our skin healthy, protecting our skin from those darn suv rays)


Guava &Papaya: Top awards for Vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber which helps prevent constipation.

Papaya is rich in carotene, this is good for your eyes. (also good for gas and indigestion)

Tomatoes are very good as a preventative measure for men, keeps those prostrate problems from invading their bodies

Foods that are healthy for your HEART

The foods listed here are all top-performers in protecting your heart and blood vessels.

1. Salmon

Nutrients: Omega-3 fatty acids.

Recipe Idea: Grill salmon with a yummy rub or marinade. Save a chunk to chop for pasta or salad later on.r.

2. Flaxseed (ground)

Nutrients: Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, phytoestrogens.

Recipe Idea: Ground flaxseed hides easily in all sorts of foods -- yogurt parfaits, morning cereal, homemade muffins, or cookies.

3. Oatmeal

Nutrients: Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, folate, niacin, calcium, soluble fiber.

Recipe Idea: Top hot oatmeal with fresh berries. Oatmeal-and-raisin cookies are a hearty treat.

4. Black or Kidney Beans

Nutrients: B-complex vitamins, niacin, folate, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, soluble fiber.

Recipe Idea: Give soups or salads a nutrient boost -- stir in some beans.

5. Almonds

Nutrients: Plant omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, magnesium, fiber, heart-favorable mono- and polyunsaturated fats, phytosterols.

Recipe Idea: Mix a few almonds (and berries) into low-fat yogurt, trail mix, or fruit salads.

6. Walnuts

Nutrients: Plant omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, magnesium, folate, fiber, heart-favorable mono- and polyunsaturated fats, phytosterols.

Recipe Idea: Walnuts add flavorful crunch to salads, pastas, cookies, muffins, even pancakes.

7. Red Wine

Nutrients: Catechins and resveratrol (flavonoids).

Recipe Idea: Toast your good health! A glass of red wine could improve "good" HDL cholesterol.

8. Tuna

Nutrients: Omega-3 fatty acid, folate, niacin.

Recipe Idea: Here's lunch: Salad greens, fresh fruit, canned tuna. Keep "Salad Spritzer" - a light dressing -- in your office fridge.

9. Tofu

Nutrients: Niacin, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium.

Recipe Idea: Tasty tofu is easy: Thinly slice "firm" tofu, marinate several hours, grill or stir-fry.

10. Brown Rice

Nutrients: B-complex vitamins, fiber, niacin, magnesium.

Recipe Idea: Microwavable brown rice makes a quick lunch. Stir in a few chopped veggies (broccoli, carrots, spinach).

11. Soy Milk

Nutrients: Isoflavones (a flavonoid), B-complex vitamins, niacin, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phytoestrogens.

Recipe Idea: Soy milk is great over oatmeal or whole-grain cereal. Or, make a smoothie with soy milk.

12. Blueberries

Nutrients: Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids), anthocyanin (a flavonoid), ellagic acid (a polyphenol), vitamin C, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, fiber.

Recipe Idea: Cranberries, strawberries, raspberries are nutrient-rich too -- for trail mixes, muffins, and salads!

13. Carrots

Nutrients: Alpha-carotene (a carotenoid), fiber.

Recipe Idea: Baby carrots are sweet for lunch. Sneak chopped or shredded carrots into spaghetti sauce or muffin batter.

14. Spinach

Nutrients: Beta-carotene (a carotenoid), Vitamins C and E, potassium, folate, calcium, fiber.

Recipe Idea: Pick spinach (not lettuce) for nutrient-packed salads and sandwiches.

15. Broccoli

Nutrients: Beta-carotene (a carotenoid), Vitamins C and E, potassium, folate, calcium, fiber.

Recipe Idea: Chop fresh broccoli into store-bought soup. For a veggie dip, try hummus (chickpeas).

16. Sweet Potato

Nutrients: Beta-carotene (a carotenoid), Vitamins C and E, potassium, folate, calcium, fiber.

Recipe Idea: Microwave in a zip-lock baggie for lunch. Eat au naturale, or with pineapple bits.

17. Red Bell Peppers

Nutrients: Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids), B-complex vitamins, folate, potassium, fiber.

Recipe Idea: Rub with olive oil and grill or oven-roast until tender. Delicious in wraps, salads, and sandwiches.

18. Asparagus

Nutrients: Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids), B-complex vitamins, folate, fiber.

Recipe Idea: Grill or steam slightly then dress with olive oil and lemon. It's a pretty side dish.

19. Oranges

Nutrients: Beta-cryptoxanthin, beta- and alpha-carotene, lutein (carotenoids) and flavones (flavonoids), vitamin C, potassium, folate, fiber.

Recipe Idea: Got orange juice? Check out the new nutrient-packed blends.

20. Tomatoes

Nutrients: Beta- and alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein (carotenoids), vitamin C, potassium, folate, fiber.

Recipe Idea: For a flavor twist try oil-packed tomatoes in sandwiches, salads, pastas, and pizzas.

21. Acorn Squash

Nutrients: Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids), B-complex and C vitamins, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, fiber.

Recipe Idea: Baked squash is comfort food on a chilly day. Serve with sauted spinach, pine nuts, and raisins.

22. Cantaloupe

Nutrients: Alpha- and beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids), B-complex and C vitamins, folate, potassium, fiber.

Recipe Idea: A fragrant ripe cantaloupe is perfect for breakfast, lunch, potluck dinners. Simply cut and enjoy!

23. Papaya

Nutrients: Beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein (carotenoids), Vitamins C and E, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium.

Recipe Idea: Serve papaya salsa with salmon: Mix papaya, pineapple, scallions, garlic, fresh lime juice, salt, and black pepper.

24. Dark Chocolate

Nutrients: Resveratrol and cocoa phenols (flavonoids).

Recipe Idea: A truffle a day lowers blood pressure, but choose 70% or higher cocoa content.

25. Tea

Nutrients: Catechins and flavonols (flavonoids).

Recipe Idea: Make sun tea. Combine a clear glass jar, several tea bags, and hours of sunshine.

information from http://www.webmd.com/

Metabolism boosting

Drinking the right amount of water can help you burn more calories

True. All of your body's chemical reactions, including your metabolism, depend on water. If you are dehydrated, you may be burning up to 2% fewer calories, according to researchers at the University of Utah who monitored the metabolic rates of 10 adults as they drank varying amounts of water per day. In the study, those who drank either eight or twelve 8 ounce glasses of water a day had higher metabolic rates than those who had four.
Tip If your urine is darker than light straw in color, you may not be drinking enough fluid. Try sipping one glass before each meal and snack to stay hydrated.

Your body burns more calories digesting ice cold beverages and foods
True. But before you give yourself an ice cream headache, there's more. "The small difference in calories probably won't make a significant dent in your diet," explains Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, CNS, founder and director of the UPMC Weight Management Center in Pittsburgh. On the bright side, different studies have suggested that five or six ice cold glasses of water could help you burn about 10 extra calories a day equaling about 1 pound of nearly effortless weight loss each year.
Tip Although the metabolism boosting effects are small, it can't

Dieting drops your resting metabolic rate, making it harder to keep weight off
True. For every pound you lose, your resting metabolism drops by about 2 to 10 calories a day. Lose 10 pounds, and you now have to eat 20 to 100 fewer calories to maintain your trimmer physique, not factoring in exercise. However, you can prevent your metabolic rate from slipping while you get slim. One way is to lose fat but maintain muscle. You can do this by reducing calories and increasing aerobic and resistance exercise, says Hickey. Crash diets (fewer than 1,000 calories a day) may result in a higher percentage of muscle loss.
Tip Lose weight by cutting 250 calories a day and burning 250 calories per day through exercise. That will help you retain or even gain muscle while you lose a greater percentage of body fat.

Hot foods will fire up metabolism
True. Capsaicin, the bioactive compound that makes chile peppers exude heat, can turn your metabolism up a notch while also enhancing satiety and reducing hunger. Studies show that eating about 1 tablespoon of chopped red or green chile pepper which is equal to 30 mg of capsaicin resulted in up to a temporary 23% boost in metabolism. In another study, 0.9 g of red pepper was given in capsule form or naturally in tomato juice before each meal. The researchers noted that the individuals reduced their total calorie intake by 10 or 16%, respectively, for 2 days after and still reported being full.
Tip Sprinkle red pepper flakes onto pasta dishes and into chilis and stews; fresh chile peppers work well in salsas and add a fiery flavor to many other dishes.

Eating more protein will rev up your metabolism
True. Protein provides a metabolic advantage compared with fat or carbohydrates because your body uses more energy to process it. This is known as the thermic effect of food (TEF). Studies show that you may burn up to twice as many calories digesting protein as carbohydrates. In a typical diet, 14% of calories come from protein. Double that (and reduce carbs to make up for the extra calories), and you can burn an additional 150 to 200 calories a day, explains Donald Layman, PhD, a professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois.
Tip To reap protein's rewards, strive for between 10 and 20 g at each of your meals, says Hickey. Try an 8 ounce cup of low fat plain yogurt with breakfast (about 13 g), a 1/2 cup serving of hummus with lunch (about 10 g), and a 3 ounce salmon fillet for dinner (about 17 g).

Eating a grapefruit before every meal speeds metabolism
False. Grapefruit won't work miracles for your metabolism, but it can help you lose weight. Half a grapefruit before meals helped individuals lose about 4 pounds in 12 weeks, according to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food. The reason: Its fiber and water fill you up on fewer calories, so you eat less at your next meal.
Tip Instead of soup or salad, try a juicy piece of fresh fruit half a grapefruit, a tangerine before your main course.

Lifting weights boosts your metabolism more than a cardio workout
True. When you strength train enough to add 3 pounds of muscle, you increase your calorie burn by 6 to 8% meaning that you burn about 100 extra calories every day. Aerobic exercise, on the other hand, doesn't significantly increase your body's lean muscle mass. "The best way to gain muscle mass is to do resistance training," notes Ryan D. Andrews, RD, a certified strength training specialist in Colorado.
Tip "You want to focus on exercises that recruit the largest muscles and use two part movements, because they will help you build more lean mass," Andrews says. His favorites include squats, push ups, and any exercise that combines upper and lower body movements.

Celery is a "negative calorie food" because digesting it uses up more calories than it provides
False. The thermic effect of food does cause your body to burn up calories as it processes meals, snacks, and beverages. But this process accounts for anywhere from 0 to 30% of the calories you eat (protein, for example, takes more calories to digest than fat or carbohydrates; see question 5). A medium size rib of celery has only about 6 calories; its TEF is approximately half a calorie. In reality, "negative calorie foods" are nothing more than wishful thinking.
Tip Include celery as a low cal but filling addition to salads, stir fries, and soups; you can't depend on it to magically melt away your trouble spots. But it is healthful: Celery has phthalides, compounds that can help reduce blood pressure.

Tea revs your natural calorie burn
True. Catechins found in green and oolong teas can boost the body's fat burning fire. One study of Japanese women compared the effects of drinking green tea, oolong tea, or water on various days. Just one large cup of oolong tea increased calorie burning by up to 10%, a boost that peaked 1 1/2 hours later. Green tea raised metabolism by 4% for 1 1/2 hours. Other studies show that drinking two to four cups of green or oolong daily (about 375 to 675 mg of catechins) may translate into an extra 50 calories burned each day about 5 pounds' worth in a year.
Tip Try a cup of green or oolong tea in place of your morning coffee for a dose of caffeine that will wake up your metabolism as well. Instead of milk or sweetener, add a squeeze of lemon, which may help your body absorb more catechins.

PMS cravings are related to the boost in metabolism before your period
True. If there is a silver lining to PMS, it's that our resting metabolic rate may increase during the part of the menstrual cycle known as the luteal phase (the day after ovulation to the first day of your period). The metabolic boost we get from being "hormonal" can equal as much as 300 calories a day which is why our appetite increases during this phase.
Tip Keep a journal of what you eat the week before and the weeks after your period. Try to maintain your eating pattern over the course of the month so that you can take advantage of this hormone driven calorie burn. If you give in to cravings, make sure that you keep portions in check.

If you have limited time, exercise at a higher intensity for a metabolic afterburn.
True. People who exercise at very high intensities experience a postexercise boost in resting metabolic rate that is larger and lasts longer compared with those who work out at a low or moderate level. Up the effort of your workout and you can expect to burn at least 10% of the total calories used during the workout in the hour or so after exercising. So, if you do a combo of walking and jogging for 4 miles (about 400 calories) instead of just walking, you may burn an extra 40 calories in the next few hours.
Tip Infuse your workout with bursts of speed. Gradually work your way up to 2 minute intervals, 3 days a week

information from http://www.prevention.com/