koo koo for coconut oil!

Every time I go to the grocery store, I see coconut oil. It seems to be everywhere in some form in every aisle. I like coconut, and although I know nothing about coconut oil, I was interested. The marketing gimmicks seemed to get the best of me. I broke down and purchased some coconut oil without even knowing how I was going to use it. It’s been setting on my counter for a few weeks now, and I decided it was time to research how to use this new fad food.

After much reading and research on many different sites, I copied and pasted (and came up with a few of my own) ways that I can use coconut oil in the kitchen and elsewhere.

• Two tablespoons per day taken orally are proven to rev up metabolism.
• Replace vegetable oil with coconut oil when baking - it's a different taste, but it's not bad. The sweetness adds to a cookie recipe, brownie recipe, etc., and it's healthy.
• Add a tablespoon of coconut oil into morning smoothies. It's a great compliment to 1st Step Pro Wellness vanilla whey protein powder.
• One teaspoon taken in the afternoon can provide a burst of energy instead of drinking a caffeinated energy drink.
• Use coconut oil when shaving - this will provide a moisturizer at the same time.
• Replace butter, cooking spray, vegetable oil, etc. with coconut oil.
• Coconut oil is safe to use on a baby, and is helpful in treating diaper rash.
• Coconut oil also helps fade age spots. Rub on hands or other areas affected by age spots.
• Coconut oil will help relieve the burn of a sunburn after too much sun.
• It also works as a suntan lotion by keeping skin moisturized during a day at the beach.
• And my personal favorite, which I have tested and found to be true. . .coconut oil helps clear eczema spots on the skin. I've tried all kinds of expensive creams to treat my eczema and nothing has worked as well as good ol' coconut oil.

I hope this information helps you and that you are able to try some of the suggested uses for coconut oil. This oil is inexpensive and can be found at the grocery store.

Make sure your meals are "colorful"

Go for color when choosing fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables offer many refreshing and tasty choices. They are also a smart pick because they are low in calories and high in vitamins, mineral, and fiber.

Colorful fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants which may help prevent some diseases. These antioxidant compounds have been shown in studies to help reduce both the effects of bad cholesterol and the risk of cancer. 

To help protect against illness, choose a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables - the more colorful, the better.

Red = cranberries. Fresh or dried, cranberries are a good source of vitamin C and fiber.  Raspberries and strawberries. They are high in vitamin C.

Orange = sweet potatoes, pumpkin and carrots. They contain vitamin A, which helps the skin block infection-causing germs. 

Yellow = corn and green spinach. They boast carotenoids, which are being studied for potential heart-protecting benefits. 

Purple = grape juice. It’s loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants.

In addition to choosing an array of beautifully colored fruit and vegetables to help keep you healthy, be sure to supplement your diet with 1st Step Pro Wellness liquid vitamins.

Foods That Strangely Resemble The Body Parts They’re Good For

I can't take credit for writing this, but I do think it is worth sharing. I have seen this before and was delighted when I came across it again today. Enjoy.

There’s no question that maintaining a nutritious diet can help keep your body healthy. But when it comes to which foods can specifically benefit which body parts, science remains surprisingly sketchy. But nature gives us a big clue as to what foods help what part of our body!

Here are 10 foods that mirror the body parts they provide nutrients for—for example, brain-boosting walnuts actually look like a brain. Coincidence? Maybe. Though these healthy foods are beneficial to the whole body, the list below is a fun reminder of what to eat to target specific areas. Remember, most of these foods are more beneficial when eaten raw.

• A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. According to science, eating carrots greatly enhances blood flow to the eyes. Carrot gets their orange color from a plant chemical called beta-carotene, which reduces the risk of developing cataracts. The chemical also protects against macular degeneration an age-related sight problem that affects one in four individuals over the age of 65. If one tries to pop a pill of beta-carotene it doesn’t have the same effect, says scientists at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, USA.

• A Tomato has four chambers and is red in color, so also the heart is red and has four chambers. Research has confirmed that tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and it is indeed pure heart and blood food.

• Grapes resembles the alveoli of the lungs. The lungs are made of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny branches of tissue called alveoli. These structures allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. A diet high in fresh grapes has shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which is thought to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy. One reason that premature babies struggle to survive is that, these alveoli do not begin to form until 23 to 24 week of pregnancy.

• 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 similar to those of the neo-cortex. Scientists claim that walnuts help in developing over three dozen neuron-transmitters within the brain enhancing the signaling and encouraging new messaging link between the brain cells. Walnuts help warding off dementia. They also extract and break down the protein based plaques associated with Alzheimer’s diseases, according to a study by Dr. James Joseph of Tuft University in Boston.

• Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and are shaped exactly like the human kidneys (hence their name). Kidney beans provide a variety of minerals and vitamins, and so are generally beneficial for your health. If your kidneys are healthy, kidney beans can -- when consumed as part of a balanced diet -- contribute to your kidney health. If your kidneys are diseased, you might need to moderate your intake of kidney beans.

• Celery, Rhubarb, Bok-choy and more look just like bones structure. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are made up of 23% sodium and these foods have sodium in them. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

• Avocados and Pears are good for the health and functioning of the womb and cervix of the female and look just like these organs. Modern research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances the birth hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and can even prevent cervical cancer. It even takes exactly nine months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit, just like a human baby! There are said to be over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods.

• Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Studies have shown that Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the sperm count as well as overcoming male sterility.

• Sweet Potatoes resemble the pancreas and can actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics. The oblong sweet potato bears a strong resemblance to the pancreas, and also promotes healthy function in the organ. "Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which is a potent antioxidant that protects all tissues of the body, including the pancreas, from damage associated with cancer or aging," says Somer.

• Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries. An Italian study found that women whose diets included a lot of olive oil had a 30% lower risk of ovarian cancer. The reasons are unclear, but the healthy fats in the oil may help suppress genes predisposed to causing cancer.

• Grapefruits, Oranges, 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. The similarity between round citrus fruits––like lemons and grapefruit––and breasts may be more than coincidental. "Grapefruit contains substances called limonoids, which have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in lab animals and in human breast cells," says Dr. Moulavi.

• Eating a Banana will cheer you up and put a smile on your face. This popular fruit contains a protein called tryptophan, when digested it gets converted into a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which is a mood regulating chemical in the brain. Banana can be termed as an antidepressant drug, since it adjusts the level of serotonin production in the brain.

• Onions look like the body's cells. Research shows onions clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. 

• Ginger looks like the stomach and it also aids in digestion. Indians and Chinese have been using it for over 5000 years to calm stomach and cure nausea, and motion sickness. It also slows down the growth rate of bowel tumors.

• A Mushrooms when sliced in half resembles the shape of the human ear. Mushrooms improve hearing abilities, since they contain Vitamin D, which is healthy for bones, especially the 3 tiny bones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.

• And finally, Broccoli – the close-up of tiny green tips on a broccoli head looks like 100 of cancer cells. A team of researchers at US National Cancer Institute found a weekly serving of broccoli was enough to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45%.

Nuts to you!

Two handfuls of your favorite nuts are healthier than two handfuls of potato chips multiplied 10 times. Nuts are tasty and make great snacks and they offer more than just stomach-fillers. They actually contain nutrition to help you gain muscle. Here are five kinds of nuts that ensure bodybuilding results.

·         Almonds: Two handfuls of almonds help lower the risk of heart disease because of their manganese and Vitamin E content, which lower the risk of oxidative damage. Their high protein content ensure muscles get a steady source of amino acids.

·         Pistachios: Pistachio nuts might contain high fat and carbohydrate content, but it is undeniable that they provide a great amount of protein and fiber. Pistachios also have high Vitamin B6 amounts.

·         Walnuts: Most people regard walnuts as super foods because they contain great amounts of alpha-linolenic and linolenic acid. Omega-3 helps the heart avoid disease and allows muscles to keep more protein.

·         Cashews: Cashews might actually make you fat with its very high fat content, but eating a handful of these nuts actually gives you a high Omega-3 advantage. Cashews also contain plenty of iron, zinc and other minerals.

·         Peanuts: Consuming peanuts or eating peanut butter actually gives you high protein, dietary fiber and antioxidants for the body. By consuming peanuts, you actually gain potassium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, niacin, and folate.

So, next time you want a crunchy, salty snack. . . don't reach for the chips, opt for the nuts instead!

Are You a Perfect 10?

I am excited and want to share some information I recently became aware of. A physician I am seeing recommended the book, "The Perfect 10 Diet" by Dr.  Michael Aziz. 

The book discusses the top 10 hormones responsible for weight gain and weight loss and how to get those hormones balanced for optimal health. Hormones have always been somewhat of a mystery to me, so to have them explained in "layman's terms" was not only extremely interesting but also helpful. 

Let me summarize and share some of the information I found to be valuable: The top 10 hormones that hold the secret to losing weight and feeling great are:

• Insulin - Insulin governs the body, and it has a profound effect on aging.
• Glucagon - Performs the exact opposite function of insulin - it melts fat.
• Leptin – Controls the appetite.
• Human Growth Hormone (HGH) - is the quintessential anti-aging hormone.
• Thyroid - The thyroid hormone keeps you fit, provides energy, improves thinking abilities, boosts the immune system, decreases bad cholesterol, and lowers blood pressure.
• Testosterone - Testosterone makes men masculine, but it is also present in small amounts in women, and aids libido in both genders.
• Estrogen - Estrogen increases alertness, lowers body fat, protects against heart and Alzheimer’s disease, and more.
• Progesterone - Progesterone reduces anxiety and has a calming effect on mood - it makes women happy.
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - DHEA is gaining ground as a hormone that improves one’s sense of well-being, relieves fatigue, fights depression, and plays a role in the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
• Cortisol - This major hormone keeps us alive thanks to three essential and powerful properties.

According to Dr. Aziz, becoming a “perfect 10” is about achieving perfect health through a diet and lifestyle designed to balance the 10 key hormones that directly impact health and weight. This is not one of those "fad" diets. It is not a low-carb nor is it a low-fat diet. This diet prescribes "real" food - food without all of the preservatives and chemicals which have an adverse effect on hormones.

In his book, he offers sample menus for balancing hormones and discusses a unique, science-based approach to nutritional balance for stabilizing hormone levels. He claims his patients have lost an average of 10 to 14 pounds in the first three weeks on the diet, without feeling hungry, and showed remarkable improvement in the markers for heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes, and overall health.

The book includes tips for getting started on the road to balancing hormones and overcoming sluggish weight loss. He also includes a guide to hormone supplements.

I am excited about this book, and I feel like I have learned so much. A lot of information I had about hormones was incomplete, vague, or just plain wrong. And to be honest, some of these hormones I really knew nothing about. In short, I am following this plan, and I am already feeling better. If you have questions about hormone health, this read is for you.

We All Know It - But How Many of Us Do It?

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THINK PINK! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Unless a person is living under a rock, they cannot help but be made “aware” of breast cancer during the month of October.

Turn on the television and every Major League Baseball team is using pink bats, NFL players are adorned in pink gloves, towels, tights, and socks.

Attended a high school football game lately? The cheerleaders have big pink bows, pink bloomers and poms, while high school football players sport pink socks. Volleyball teams have followed the trend as well.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) began in 1985 as a partnership between the American Caner Society and Imperial Chemical Industries, maker of several anti-breast cancer drugs. The aim of NBCAM was to promote mammography as the most effective weapon against breast cancer.

As for the pink ribbon, which is now a national symbol for breast cancer awareness, the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors starting in 1991.

Then in 1993, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation was founded and officially established the pink ribbon as its symbol. The color pink, for literally everything in October, ensued from that.

So now that everyone is aware of NBCAM, how many people actually take action? How many people actually schedule a mammogram? I say people because men, although much less common, can also develop breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, the good news is that the number of women over 40 who have a mammogram has increased drastically since 1987.

In 1987, 29% of females over 40 had a mammogram and in 2013 this number increased to 66% - this of course equates to early detection, early treatment, and saving lives. According to the American Cancer Society, deaths from breast cancer are down 35% from 1989 to 2011.

We can conlcude that all this "pink" is working.

Seems like a no brainer. If having a mammogram could possible save your life, who in their right mind wouldn't get one? The American Cancer Society reports that 62% of uninsured women are not getting mammograms along with 47% of women with less that 12 years of education. Ethnicity is not a factor in whether or not women get a mammogram according to the American Cancer Society.

Still, there is no excuse. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, low-cost or free mammograms are offered through national programs and community organizations throughout the country including:

• Komen Affiliates fund breast cancer education, screening and treatment projects for those who need it most. Find an affiliate in your area to learn what resources are available. Or, call their breast care helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) to help find low-cost options in your area.

• National Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Center provides access to breast cancer screening to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women.

• YWCA provides breast cancer education and screening to women who lack access to health services.

• Each October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many imaging centers offer mammograms at reduced rates. For a list of certified centers, visit the FDA website at www.fda.gov.

So if you are wearing pink…stop and think…have you had your annual mammogram?

Healthy Workers = Happy Workers

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I am very blessed to work in an environment that embraces preventative measures to maintain optimal health. You might be surprised to know that I am a teacher - a high school teacher at that. Some might say my position alone is a health risk! Actually, it's not.

I teach for a district that offers ahealth screening every fall. The good news is this health screening is free. The even better news is that the district pays $100 to all staff members who choose to participate. The screening involves a complete blood profile and a mammogram.

The blood profile is done at our workplace. The lab actually comes to our school early in the morning to draw our blood, and the results are delivered to our school nurses and then given to us a few days later. The nurses at my campus are great at reviewing our results and red-flagging anything not in the normal range. They are equally good at answering our questions about our results.

The district also provides additional optional services like an osteoporosis screening, peripheral arterial disorder screening, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, and carotid artery screening at a nearby hospital for a minimal cost.

The majority of staff members at my campus, myself included, take advantage of these great services. A simple blood test can detect abnormalities and possible serious conditions that require further testing and treatment. It's all about being proactive and taking preventative measures.