Irene Pastore

The Onion: World Class Superfood

June 5, 2013

Onion Power

The only vegetable that makes you cry, happens to be an important source of quercetin, an antioxidant, that boosts the immune system.

Antioxidants scavage unhealthy particles in the blood stream, known as free radicals that damage cells membranes, and tamper with DNA.

Consuming onions on a regular basis has beneficial effects against adverse health conditions, such as cancer, asthma, allergies, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Onions are high in vitamin C, provide a good source of dietary fiber, and folic acid. They contain calcium and iron, are low in sodium, and have no fat.

Cancer Prevention

The quercetin and phytochemicals in onions inhibit the growth of breast, ovarian, bladder, colon, gastric, and lung cancer.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief

Quercetin is a potent anti-inflammatory helpful for managing rheumatoid arthritis.

Detoxification

Onions have antiviral and antibiotic properties.

Heart health

The quercetin found in onions raises good cholesterol (HDL).

TYPES OF ONIONS

Yellow Onions

Yellow onions are white on the inside, and have a strong, pungent flavor. The have a brown papery outer skin.

Red Onions

Red onions are white on the inside., and have a mild to sweet flavor. They have a dark red papery outer skin.

White Onions

White onions are white on the inside, and have a milk flavor. They have a white papery skin. Examples of white onions are Walla Walla, and Vidalia.

Tanning Advice: Don’t Do It

June 2, 2013

A public service announcement from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Exercise of the Month: June 2013

June 1, 2013

WARRIOR TWO YOGA POSE

Sanskrit Name: Virabhadrasana

Level: Warrior II is a basic standing Yoga pose.

Reverse Warrior is an intermediate level, standing Yoga pose.

Equipment: Yoga sticky mat.

Muscles Worked Warrior II: Strengthens shoulders, hamstrings, hip abductors, and external rotators. Stretches quadriceps, hips (iliopsoas, and adductors).

Reverse Warrior stretches the oblique abdominals, while strengthening the legs, and opening the hips.

How to Perform the Warrior Two Yoga Pose

Turn your right foot to the right, and step your feet wide apart, as shown in the photograph of Warrior II Pose. Your hips and shoulders form a rectangle.

Raise both arms to shoulder height keeping wrists straight. Turn your head to the right, gazing at your fingertips.

Distribute your weight evenly over both legs. Hold 20 to 30 seconds.

Variation: Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana). This is a more challenging variation of the Warrior II Pose.

Set up is the same as Warrior II. The difference is adding a side bend while raising the arm.

Distribute your weight evenly over both legs. Your hand should rest gently on your leg.

Gaze upward at your open palm.

Caution: To prevent slipping, remain centered on your mat. Avoid poses that are uncomfortable for your body. You should be able to breath deeply without forcing the flow of your breath.

Spelt: A Healthy Wheat Alternative

May 16, 2013

What Is Spelt?

Spelt is an ancient grain, with a nutty flavor. It looks just like wheat, but it’s much easier to digest. Spelt is high in manganese, fiber, phosphorus, vitamin B3, magnesium and protein.

There are two types of spelt flour: whole grain, and unbleached all-purpose. The former being more nutritious and higher in fiber, but also has a somewhat bitter taste.

If you’re accustomed to baking with wheat flour, especially working with pie dough, spelt flour will be a challenge, because it tends to crumble.

Where To Buy Spelt Bread

Local health food stores, Whole Foods Market, and Trader Joe’s sell spelt bread. Spelt products are not likely to be found on standard supermarket shelves.

Why Should You Eat Spelt Bread

Spelt is easier to digest than common wheat. People who suffer from wheat allergies tend to tolerate spelt, and don’t experience reactions.

Spelt contains gluten. However, celiacs who cannot tolerate gluten have had success consuming spelt.

Where To Buy Spelt Flour and Spelt Products

Bulk spelt flour is sold in local health food stores, and co-op food markets. Whole Foods Market sells packaged Arrowhead Mills whole spelt flour.

Other than bread, spelt is used to make pasta, pretzels, cookies, bagels, hamburger and hot dog buns. These products are more costly than standard wheat pasta, snacks and breads.

Spelt Brand Name Products

These brands are sold in many health food stores. Whole Foods Market carries them as well.

Rudi’s Bakery
Vita-Spelt
Bread Alone
Berlin Natural Bakery

Angelina Jolie: Preventive Double Mastectomy

May 15, 2013

**Exercise and a healthy diet are best defenses against breast cancer.**

Angelina Jolie underwent a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer. As a high profile figure, it’s a good bet that other women will follow her example.

Pulling all your teeth to prevent tooth decay, or removing your colon to prevent colon cancer seems as radical as Jolie’s decision to remove her breasts before she has cancer.

There are other, more natural ways for women to prevent the development of breast cancer, than having to remove both breasts.

Natural Breast Cancer Prevention Methods

Do not smoke. Medline Plus, an online source for medical news, published a February 2013 article, “More evidence that smoking raises breast cancer risk.“
Maintain a healthy weight. According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer risk is higher among overweight and obese women. An article in the August 2012 issue of Medical News Today, reports, “Breast cancer recurrance is higher among overweight women.”
Exercise regularly. Couch potato syndrome is worldwide. Too much sitting, and not enough exercise is a risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer. A July 2012 article in Time Health & Family reports, “Lack of Exercise as Deadly as Smoking, Study Finds.” , and a May 2013 Medical News Today article, “Physical Activity Reduces Breast Cancer Risk.“
Avoid hormone replacement therapy. Breast and ovarian cancer are associated with hormone replacement. WebMD, presents the evidence in an article, “Hormone Replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer Risk.” According to a a May 15, 2013 article in Reuters Health, “Ovarian Cancer Fall Sped Up, As HormoneUse Dropped.”

Alternative Opinions

In the May 15, 2013 issue of Natural News.com, Mike Adams writes, “Angelie Jolie inspires women to maim themselves by celebrating medically perverted double mastectomies.”

Gary Null, alternative medicine author, and radio talk show host, interviews Christiane Northrup, MD, “How wise was Angelina Jolie’s decision to have a radical mastectomy?”

Recommended Product: Autobiography of a Yogi

May 13, 2013

First published in 1946, by the Self Realization Fellowship, Autobiography of a Yogi, is the life story of Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the world’s most well-known teachers of Yoga science. Since its first printing, the book has sold over 4 million copies.

Autobiography of a Yogi describes Yogananda’s spiritual journey, and his search for enlightenment. He was born in India in 1893, and in 1915 became a monastic. Yogananda moved to the United States in 1920, where he founded the Self-Realization Fellowship to disseminate his teachings.

Autobiography of a Yogi is an inspiration for anyone considering the spiritual path, or for those already on their way. It will make an excellent gift for Yoga lovers.

Visit the Self Realization Fellowship website to read more about Yogananda’s teaching. The SRF web bookstore sells his books and CDs.

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