Herpes outbreaks can be embarrassing, not to mention uncomfortable and painful.  And sometimes, prescription medication doesn’t fend off the flare-ups.  But with some consideration and creativity, we can add superfoods to our diet that will help our body fight off the herpes virus.

Cranberries may help to fight infection by the herpes virus, one of the most common viral infections in humans, according to recent research. Cranberries are already known to prevent urinary tract infections by reducing the power of certain E. coli bacteria to stick to the urinary tract walls, and recent studies suggest that cranberries also significantly suppressed herpes type 2 by preventing the virus to attach to and penetrate the walls.  HSV-2 or herpes simplex infection causes cold sores and genital herpes.

Broccoli fights cancer, heart disease, and other serious conditions. It’s high in vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system. Broccoli may also inhibit the herpes simplex virus from reproducing.

Kelp is a stellar, nutrient-dense sea vegetable that can also help eliminate herpes outbreaks.  It is also known as Laminaria and it works as a blood purifier.

Photo: @allensamuellee

Other superfoods that can help strengthen the body’s immune system to fight the herpes simplex virus are those that are high in vitamins B, C, and E, as well as lysine, an amino acid.  Fish, bean sprouts, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain complex carbohydrates are all great sources for these.  Try to avoid refined sugars, stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, excessive sun exposure, and smoking, as these all have the ability to deplete energy stores which can, in turn, compromise your immunity and your ability to fend off infections.  Stress is a major cause for herpes outbreaks, so do whatever possible to minimize stress in your life – get plenty of sleep, take time out to relax, and get plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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The acai berry is strange in the way that only 10% of the berry is actually edible, the main reason for this is it has a large stone which takes up most of the berry. It is a dark purple berry slightly smaller than a grape, acai is more communally mixed with ice cream, meal bars and also energy drinks. The acai berry requires rapid processing after its late harvest.

The acai berry grows in the rain forests of the Amazon in South America and is considered by some as being more than an organic fruit. These rainforests remain untouched by any sort of manufacturing, everything in this region is grown the way it was intended by nature and no mass production is add in any way.

Pronunciation of this fruit is “ah-sigh-ee”, acai, or Euterpe oleracea (Arecaceae) has been seen to excel in healthy attributes and greatly aids metabolism. It is highly promoted by Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a health guru, and best-selling author, calling the acai a “superfood.”

It wasn’t until the turn of the millennium when the acai berry was discovered to be in North America and it hails from the palmberry tree. It usually grows in the Amazon, the natives of this region cultivate the berry and have enjoyed it health producing properties for many years now. Acai is usually consumed as a puree or in a smoothie or milkshake, this drink is more communally served on the Brazilian beaches and tropical resorts, although acai is an acquired taste, as it tastes mostly of wine with a hint of chocolate.

Acai is abundant in anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that has been proven to combat cholesterol and free radicals, consuming acai has been proven to reduce blood-related disorders and relax the blood vessels. It is also a great help in preventing atherosclerosis and is a powerful combatant of cancer. Red wine is healthy for you because of the anthocyanin content from the grapes. the Acai berry has over X30 the anthocyanin than any grape.

Aside from anthocyanins, another benefit of the acai berry is an acid called aleic acid which is very good for the heart. Oleic acid also keeps a cancer-causing oncogene (this is found in many breast cancer patients) from acting up, Acai is also great for anyone who has any sort of digestive conditions.

Photo: @elinadjan

Acai is good as a dietary supplement, it is very low in fat and cholesterol and yet high in fiber. These benefits are usually found in the skin, the acai skin contains nutrients such as phytosterols, vitamin C, E, manganese, chromium, copper, and even boron as well as a few others including calcium, acai contains more calcium than even milk.

In recent studies have been conducted and acai has other benefits other than the ones that have been mentioned in this article such ailments would include a variety of virus and prostate problems. It also helps improve lipoprotein metabolism and reinforces your immune system. One of the less known attributes of acai is it is said to have very powerful aphrodisiac properties, because of its revitalizing qualities. To produce this aphrodisiac, you need to mix the acai pulp with guarana another fruit grown in South America, although this is the most powerful combination the acai berry can be mixed with any fruit or mixture even milk or beer.

Unfortunately, now the acai berry is not found in any store in the united states this is mainly because the fruit spoils very quickly, the only way that this berry can be got is thought a frozen or pureed form. In Brazi,l the athletes would take the berry as part of their daily diet and consider it a must for a healthy lifestyle

The acai berry is small and although you can find the nutrients that it has elsewhere the difference here is that acai crams all of them into a small space, this has been considered to be a premium way to undertake a good healthy lifestyle.

Other benefits of this amazing berry include greater energy, stamina, digestion and mental stimulation. Drink acai in juice or smoothie form also helps you sleep better at night. Acai also includes more proteins than an egg white, it also serves as a revitalizing agent supplying you with the energy of a speeding train, this is a good way to increase sex drive and performance.

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Whether you use refined, white cane sugar or a natural sweetener in your cooking is a matter of personal preference, though many people avoid refined sugar because some of it is filtered using charred animal bones. Another reason is that it’s devoid of nutritional value and difficult for the body to metabolize. In cooking, I prefer to use an unrefined sugar, or naturally processed granulated cane sugar, which is sold under various brand names, including Sucanat or Florida Crystals.

These can be substituted in equal measure for white table sugar, although they are a little darker in color than white granulated sugar and have a slight molasses flavor. If the filtering issue is important to you but you want to use a white granulated sugar, you can use beet sugar, which is more expensive than cane sugar, but does not use bone char for filtration.

Photo: @brittleighhhh

There are also some companies that make granulated cane sugar using other filtration methods. Since honey is not vegan, you’ll want a reliable substitute when a liquid sweetener is desired. Two good substitutes for honey are agave nectar and pure maple syrup, though maple will always add a bit of its distinct flavor to whatever you’re cooking. Both have a similar sweetness level as honey.

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Vegans have been around for thousands of years, and plant-based eating has been known by various names. Some people call the vegan diet “strict vegetarian,” but it is more accurately “pure vegetarian,” the original name and meaning of “vegetarian.” As the word “vegetarian” drifted to include eggs and dairy (lacto-ovo vegetarians), a new term was needed for the purists. “Vegan” was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson, founder of The Vegan Society in the U.K. As more people seek healthy alternatives to meat and dairy, vegans are the fastest growing segment because many vegetarians are now shifting to pure plant-based diets. People who choose vegan do so chiefly for three reasons: ethics, environment, and health, or a combination of all three.

Ethics

What do ethics have to do with what you eat for dinner? People who go vegan by way of conscience believe it is wrong to kill animals for food. Supporting that belief is clear proof, documented by responsible investigators, of the cruel conditions of factory farms and routine, inhumane slaughtering practices. The brutal evidence spans the fullspectrum of the beef, veal, pork, and poultry industries.

The commitment of ethical vegans doesn’t stop with diet, but extends to avoiding all animalrelated products, such as leather, silk, fur, and wool products. They even avoid products such as soaps and cosmetics that contain animal products, purchasing only those labeled “crueltyfree” or “vegan,” as well as avoiding products made by companies who use animal testing. (See Resources for books and Web sites containing more information on this aspect of veganism). In terms of ethics, choosing vegan food is choosing a diet of compassion.

Environment

Aside from the ethical and health issues, meat production has a well known deleterious effect on the environment, ranging from deforestation, to pollution, to the waste of fresh water. The fact is that meat production is the most inefficient and wasteful use of land and water one could devise. Over half of the water consumed in the United States is used for animal feed. The amount of water needed to produce an entire day of food for a human requires only a fraction of the water needed for the production of one pound of meat. Much of the rain forest being cleared in South America is not for human food but for feed for cattle for beef exports. The pollution from meat consumption is devastating and includes mountains of animal waste and chemical run-off that spoils the rivers, lakes, and oceans. The plant-based diet may become especially important in the light of the coming water crisis, which was acknowledged by the federal government in October 2007.

Health

Do you want to look younger, trim down, have clearer skin, and enjoy more energy? If this sounds like a pitch, it is. A well-balanced vegan diet that includes lots of fresh produce, beans, and whole grains, can actually improve health, beautify the skin, minimize the symptoms of seasonal illnesses, colds, and flu, and also provide more energy. Fresh whole foods are loaded with vitamins, nutrients, and, yes, even protein, as well as antioxidants, minerals, and calcium. At the same time, they contain no cholesterol and are low in saturated fats.

When I first began writing cookbooks back in the mid-1990s, it was difficult to find reliable research on the benefits of a vegan diet. Since then, dozens of books have been published by medical experts and researchers extolling the plant-based diet. Medical doctors such as Neal Barnard, Michael Klaper, John A. McDougall, Joel Furman, and others have written books and maintain informative Web sites (see Resources). Numerous food companies have placed their prepared vegan food products on grocery store shelves nationwide.

Vegan celebrities abound, too—some, such as Moby and Chrissie Hynde, even opened their own vegan restaurants. Actors such as Alicia Silverstone, Forrest Whitaker, Natalie Portman, and James Cromwell, among many others, as well as sports figures such as marathoner Scott Jurek, and scores of musicians, including the iconic Paul McCartney, know that a vegan diet will keep them healthier and looking younger. In 2008, popular vegan diet books made headlines, with Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin a runaway New York Times bestseller. That same year, author Kathy Freston’s Quantum Wellness became the inspiration for TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey to explore a vegan diet on her show and Web site.

The end result of a diet of animal products, fast foods, and processed ingredients has actually earned a name for itself—”lifestyle disease.” The long-term effect produces cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer not only because of the inherent fat and cholesterol in meats and dairy products, but because of the artificial additives, hormones, and antibiotics regularly added to the animal feed to accelerate production. To keep healthy, vegans must learn to eat properly. If even the most committed vegan neglects to maintain a proper balance of nutrients, ill health can be the result—a diet of potato chips and celery may be vegan, but it’s never going to make you healthy. Poor health can occur particularly with people who choose to become vegan but don’t take the time to adapt their daily menu. As with any style of cooking, a common-sense understanding of basic nutrition is important.

Photo: @wcywendy77

The key for a plant-based diet is eating a variety of fresh vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and fruits each day, in order to acquire the nutrients necessary for good health, including protein, calcium, fat, and iron. The only elements of the vegan diet requiring supplements are omega-3s (obtained from ground flaxseed) and vitamin B-12. (You should check with your doctor regarding your personal nutrient needs.)

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Take a few moments and do a self-assessment of how you currently eat.

1. Make a list of the meals you now eat. Become familiar with beans, seitan, and other plant-based protein and substitute them for meat in your favorite stews, chili, and soups.

2. Rethink vegetable side dishes: Add beans and/or grains to make a more substantial meal.

3. Avoid bleached grains and pastas—white bread and white pasta are nutritionally deficient—and focus on whole grains foods. Prepare more fresh vegetables to go with them.

4. Each week, prepare at least two or three new vegan recipes. Soon, you will have a full repertoire to rotate and keep your meals interesting.

5. Take a new approach to breakfast and lunch using soy milk on your cereal and making your sandwiches on whole-grain breads.

6. Keep a well-stocked pantry so you never have an excuse not to cook a great vegan meal.

7. When dining out, patronize restaurants that offer vegan options. Many Thai and Chinese restaurants prepare great tofu and vegetable dishes, and Indian restaurant menus contain wonderful bean and vegetable items (just be sure they omit ghee or yogurt). There are also vegan options in Italian, Mexican, Greek, Moroccan, and other cuisines

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Carrot with Code Soup

Secret Menu The Carrot and Cod soup is one of my personal favorites.  I’ve never been a big fan of carrots, but this one got my vote.  By blending carrot, sweet potato, and tomato flavors, with a touch of cod can create… Print This

Serves: 2

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

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Carbohydrates have been put into the spotlight ever since diets like the Atkin’s Diet and the South Beach Diet have recommended cutting carbohydrates out of your meals as much as possible. However, before you make a drastic decision about what foods to include and not include, it is crucial to learn about carbohydrates and what they do for your body.

In short, carbohydrates can be good or bad for your body. It is necessary to eat enough good carbohydrates because that is how our body has enough energy for low-intensity activities during the day. Carbohydrates are famously found in bread and grains, but actually, they are also found in a number of other foods as well, such as fruits and vegetables. When keeping an eye on your intake of carbohydrates it is important to distinguish the good from the bad.

All carbohydrates are basically sugars. Complex carbohydrates are the good carbohydrates for your body. These strings of sugar are very difficult to break down and trap over nutrients like vitamins and minerals in the sugar strings. As they slowly break down, the other nutrients are also released into your body, and you can provide with fuel for a number of hours.

Bad carbohydrates, on the other hand, are simple sugars. Because their structure is not complex, it is easy to break down and holds little nutrients for your body other than the sugars from which it is made. Your body breaks down these carbohydrates rather quickly and what it cannot use is converted to fat and stored in the body. Staying away from simple carbohydrates is what most diets recommend since they have little nutritional value when compared to complex carbohydrates.

More importantly than how carbohydrates work in the body and the difference between good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates is how you can actually eat these carbohydrates! First, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods include carbohydrates, but also a variety of other nutrients needed by your body. Another great tip is to cut the white bread and bread products out of your diet and replace them with whole wheat or 12-grain bread instead. Look at the packaging. Foods rich in fiber are probably a source of good carbohydrates.

Learning the difference between good and bad carbohydrates is very important if you wish to have a healthy diet. It is not good for your body to cut out carbohydrates completely—in fact, that is very difficult to do unless you only eat meat! Eating a healthy and balanced diet means including good carbohydrates into your meals.

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If you are interested in eating a healthy diet compared to your current diet, I have good news or you-you don’t have to be rich to do so. It is fully possible to involve yourself in healthy eating, even if you are on a very tight budget. This may require a little bit of extra time and effort to plan your meals, but you can make good and inexpensive food choice in order to provide your body with excellent nutrition.

First, it is important to plan for your healthy diet. When you go shopping, take a list with you of the healthy foods you need to purchase instead of walking up and down the aisles without a plan. When you have a shopping list, you are less likely to purchase random junk foods that you do not need, and so you’ll save money as well as be good for your health. Planning ahead with a list also allows you to look through store sales fliers in order to choose healthy foods that are offered at discount prices that week in particular. When you do go shopping, make sure that it is not on an empty stomach, when you will be craving fatting foods and will be more likely to overspend and waste money on unhealthy products.

You should also consider purchasing items in bulk. Many club stores have a membership fee, but you can save a lot of money if you have an adequate amount of freezer and pantry space. Look at the healthy foods you need, and then head to the bulk-food supply store in order to grab enough of the item for the next month. Remember to choose foods that are both healthy and the freeze readily.

Eat at home as much as possible. When you go out to eat or stop at a fast food restaurant on your way to and from work or during your lunch break, you will pay extra money for the convenience of someone else preparing the food. These foods are also usually high in calories and low in nutrients. Instead, calculate the money you would normally spend to eat out and then use it to buy more expensive healthy ingredients at the supermarket. You can make breakfast and dinner and also pack a lunch to carry to work or school.

Purchase foods that are in season. Fresh fruits and vegetables are usually very high in nutrients, but when you want strawberries in January, you’ll end up paying the extra price. Learn when fruits come into season in your climate and purchase them at those times of the year. You can learn to can or otherwise preserve these fruits and vegetables if you want to have them all year round! Of course, heading to your local farmer’s market is a great way to purchase these items and save money. Healthy eating on a budget is all about being creative with the money you do have.

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By now, I’m sure you’ve heard people say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, that doesn’t stop millions of Americans, and people around the world, from skipping breakfast or opting for only a drink of coffee. The truth is that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, and you will have a much more healthy diet if you include breakfast in your daily life.

Breakfast is rightly named—break fast. When you sleep, you are not eating for 6 to 9 hours at least, and more if you haven’t eaten since dinner the night before. Therefore, breakfast is the first time you’ll be eating anything for a very long period of time. Some nutrients, like proteins, cannot be stored in the body and are therefore not present, so the body needs you to replenish the “low” levels of such nutrients. Breakfast is like the match that lights the fire. It truly is a very important source of energy for your body in the morning.

Eating breakfast in the morning also helps you avoid some illnesses and disease. For example, your sugar levels are probably out of whack from not eating for many hours, so having breakfast levels out the amount of sugars in your body, helping to prevent diabetes. Eating a healthy breakfast also helps you to provide food to your stomach so that you don’t overeat at lunch because you are so hungry. Overeating leads to obesity, which comes with a whole host of problems, including heart disease.

Healthy breakfast foods, like eggs, fruit, or bran cereal are also a good source of many of the vitamins and minerals a person needs during the day. If you don’t eat these things in the morning, it will be hard to make up for that loss later in the day. Remember that without the proper amounts of nutrients, you body will not function correctly. When you eat a healthy breakfast, it also makes you choose healthier foods during the rest of the day, so that you continue to get the proper nutrients needed for your body.

Setting aside 15 minutes in the morning to eat breakfast every day can truly make a great different in your diet. In the best case, your breakfast will include foods from at least three different food groups. For example, you can have whole grain toast (bread food group) with peanut butter (protein food group) and a banana (fruit food group). Top that off with a glass of milk to drink, and you’ve even hit a fourth food group. Breakfast does not have to include a heavy pancakes and sausage meal every day to be healthy, and even grabbing a single piece of fruit or a muffin is better than skipping the meal completely. Breakfast is important to your health!

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Eating healthy foods will help you to boost your immune system, but what if it’s the foods themselves making you sick? Foodborne illness can cause food poisoning and a variety of other more dangerous diseases, so they are a real threat to our bodies. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to prevent foodborne illnesses. Following safety tips when handling, preparing and storing food is very important.

First and foremost, you should be concerned with the temperature of your foods. When cooking meat, make sure to use a thermometer in order to make sure that your meat is reaching to proper temperatures inside. Some meats, like beef, can be served rare safely, but proper temperatures are crucial. This kills any bacteria that may be growing on the meat. In the case of burger and other loaf meats that have been ground and formed into patties, you should not eat rare meals. The bacteria then easily is found inside the meat as well as on the outside, and you are at risk if you do not cook these meats for a long period of time to kill any bacteria.

After your food is cooked, you should continue to monitor the temperature. Simply put, keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Hot foods should be kept at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, while cold foods should be kept at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The range between that is where bacteria can grow. When letting food cool for refrigeration, place in the refrigerator after no more than two hours, and when thawing meals, do so in a bowl or pan in the refrigerator, rather than at room temperature.

Cross contamination is a huge culprit when you are concerned with preventing illness and your food. Cross contamination is basically the moving of bacteria from one dish to another. This happens when you use dirty cutting boards, don’t wish your dishes properly, and use the same utensil for all of your foods. If you use, for example, a knife to cut raw chicken and then use that same knife to cut your food after it has been cooked, some of the bacteria from the raw chicken has probably remained on the knife, which can make you very ill. Make sure that you are using a clean workspace and clean tools whenever you cook.

Along with using a clean environment, you should make sure that you are washing your hands regularly. Every time you touch raw foods, you should use disinfecting hand soap and hot water to make sure that no bacteria remains on your hands. Making sure that your food is safe is one of the most important parts of healthy eating, so don’t overlook this step the next time you prepare a meal.

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