Tag Archives: Water

Plan Party! Include Salt, Fat, & Water

Wine Pairings by Eat Know How. Optimize your health by understanding the benefits of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

Perception of  good wine can be done through matching it to the appropriate food. Many times the association of a “GREAT WINE” comes by serving it with the proper dish, only then providing a lasting impression of the beverage. In other words, the wine should enhance the protein, carbohydrate, or fat that one is eating and it should simply be an extension of the plate being consumed. For the sulfite sensitive reader, there are many wonderful organic wines or vineyards (i.e. Chianti)  that have not been exposed to chemicals and can be enjoyed without risk of headaches.

Four tips to promote an enjoyable meal and unforgettable wine:

1. Include salty foods to the menu which will reduce headaches associated with sulfite sensitivity. All grapes “Naturally” have sulfites within their skin, so by default all wines will have  “contains sulfites” on the back of the wine bottles. The introduction of sodium chloride (table salt) provides a molecular balance allowing for further decomposition in the presence of a weak acid, (wine).

2. Eat Fat! Cheese, olive oil, butter, meats, or fried vegetables provide a source of fat. Give the alcohol molecule some fat to attach to and it will then avoid the brain.

3.  Drink water after a drink in order to rehydrate. Alcohol can both stimulate and dehydrate; it is important to provide balance to your body and consume water while at parties. I suggest lemon water.

4. Encourage 2 ounces of wine per glass giving the guests an opportunity to taste 3-4 glasses of wine. Exploring and tasting wines are popular at parties.  (A suggestion is to choose someone to be in charge of wine pouring and have someone ready to taxi drive guests home.) Men should consume 10 ounces of wine and women 5 ounces.

5.  Set up food stations. Select the appropriate wine to pair to each food item and place them into their own areas.

With the appetizers all lined up enjoy “lighter” tasting wines first and then move “heavier” wines. At our wine pairing class these are the drinks that were aligned with our menu.

Prosecco is a wonderful way to start any party. Serve with a raspberry or strawberry in the glass and salty foods on the side.

Prosecco $14.99  (Sparkling Italian Wine) serve with: olives, sliced peccorino or parmesan cheese, pretzels or crostini, prosciutto.

Sauvignon Blanc (Vinas Chilenas at Trader Joes)$6.00-$20.00 serve with: marinated vegetables i.e. Roasted Peppers / zucchini, artichokes, Eggplant and Sundried Tomatoes Also goes great with soups:  chicken, vegetable, or zucchini soups.

A wonderful light tasting grigio that is a fantastic addition to most fish dishes, soups, or sautéed vegetables

Pinot Grigio Orvieto (by Canaletto or Ruffino sold at most stores)$8.00-$27.00 serve with: Most white fish, fried Calamari, shrimp Mussels in Creamy Wine Sauce , clams, lobster stuffed peppers.

Chardonnay $6.00-$20.00  serve with Turkey or Chicken Marsala

Pinot Noir $8.00-$30.00 serve with: Smoked Salmon and Mozzarella,  Smoked Tuna, Kale Salad with Balsamic glaze.

Syrah (sold at Trader Joes Coastal Syrah OR DMZ from South Africa sold at Bottle or Two)  $6.00- $18.00 serve with: salami, walnuts, blue cheese, Eggplant Parmigiana

Honore Vera is a Garancha more dense in weight; perfect match to rustic or beef dishes.

Garnacha (Honoro Vera sold at a Bottle or Two) $10.00-$19.00 serve with Risotto and Truffles, Risotto and Porcini. Beef Roast.

After dinner digestive from Croatia.

Choose an after dinner liquor not experienced at most parties: KRUSKOVAC $15.00 is from Croatia and goes will with almonds or chestnuts. (Party Source)

References

  • What are Sulfites? http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy731
  • The Chemical Equation of Sodium Chloride and Sulfites.  Sodium Sulfite decomposed by weak acids. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_sulfite
  • Resveratrol prevents fat accumulation in livers of alcoholic mice.  http://www.the-aps.org/mm/hp/Audiences/Public-Press/For-the-Press/releases/Archive/08/36.html  Donna Krupa dkrupa@the-aps.org

Fast Food; Fatty Liver

    How often do you eat “Fast Food“ in a week’s time?  Is it the best choice, or the easiest way to “Fit A Meal“ into your day?  Nutrition starts at birth. Life moves forward, “diet” becomes more hectic and evolves from being a way to live, to a way to survive.
     If you are asked to name two questions, routinely raised at any Doctor’s office, most people would correctly respond:
 “Do you drink?”
 “Do you smoke?”
      How often are patients probed to reflect on a daily routine at a yearly check-up with a medical inquiry of, “How many times a week or month do you eat fast food?”  One in five adults are identified with a form of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.  It would stand to reason that if the doctor does not ask the patient about their food intake, the patient should be asking for a analysis of their liver enzymes.
 Recent research studies have proven  “A diet high in FAST FOOD consumption  leads to Liver Disease (Cirrhosis, or Cancer)”.  “Fatty Liver is the most common liver abnormality in children ages 2-9 years old,” revealed in The Office Journal of American Pediatrics      October, 2006.
    Liver disease can only be determined by having liver enzymes evaluated through a blood draw at a yearly check-up. Once diagnosed, recommendation’s will be made and a new dietary routine will be followed by the patient.

      Awareness about the quantity and quality of fast food, saturated with salt and boiling oil,

Fast food leads to Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

slowly kills the liver of adults and children, is the first critical step in re-thinking weekly meal plans  .

     The good news is that a Lifestyle Change improving on:  what is eaten, increased exercise,  avoidance of alcohol and limited sodium intake can return a damaged liver to a healthier state.

Once diagnosed with liver disease, your goal is to help the organ return to it’s normal functions, it’s ability to process everything that you eat and drink. A healthy lifestyle can help you feel your best and help your body cope with it’s disease. By eating


healthy and doing physical activity in moderation you will:

  1. Give your body the energy it needs to work well.
  2. Boost your immune system.
  3. Help your liver renew itself.

                                                         

           Eat Well….Enjoy the Healing Power of Food       Keep your energy level up by eating smaller meals and snacks more often. Organs filled with sodium must be flushed with foods high in Potassium: Sweet Potatoes, Baked Potato; Yogurt; Clams, Halibut; Lima, White and Soy Beans: Prunes, Kiwi, Bananas.

  1. Add, 6-8 glasses of water a day will assist in purifying the body from excess sodium and toxin’s.
  2. Enjoy light to moderate physical activity, such as walking, swimming, gardening
  3. Build up slowly to 30 to 60 minutes of activity, at least 4 times a week.
  4. Avoid food poisoning by storing and preparing foods safely. Wash your hands often.
  5. Talk to your health care provider if depression affects your ability to eat well.

Decrease some of the symptoms and the side effects of any treatments, such as feeling tired and sick by following a healthy diet.

  1. Carbohydrates: Whole grains, fruits and vegetables
  2. Fat: Healthy oils such as: Extra Virgin Olive, Canola oil, Avocado and Smart Balance oils. Omega 3, 6 reduces the inflammation in the liver: Fish, Walnuts, Flaxseed
  3. Protein: Fish (3 x’s / wk), Poultry, Lean Meat

What your body does not need 
1. Avoid alcohol.
2. Avoid foods that contain trans fat. Trans Fat must be 0 grams.
3. No more pretzels , chips, popcorn, french fries, cheese, certain meats, soy sauce and Avoid Sports Drinks. Salt, canned and processed foods must be limited.

Tasty fast food can happen in your own kitchen! After reflecting on the latest research consider preparing any of these healthy 7 Easy Recipes under 7 minutes!

Keep in communication with your doctor and dietitian so that neccessary adjustments can be made accordingly to your diet and physical activity plans.

By: K. Crocker

Literature Research
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/118/4/1388
http://organtransplant.mc.duke.edu/PDFs/Liver_Pre_3.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retr
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17006918&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17047295&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
http://magazine.wustl.edu/Winter05/SamuelKlein.htm

Remove Alcohol for Quick Weight Loss

A fast approach to weight loss is by halting drinks that can influence weight retention. Alcohol is the most social and common kind of ‘drug’ we can take, and it’s a normal part of our society and socializing to have a few drinks. We’ve been drinking alcohol for centuries from simple fermented drinks to classy wines, champagnes, and exotic cocktails. There are obvious health and social problems associated with excessive or binge consumption of alcohol, but what about its effects on people aiming for weight loss?

All alcoholic drinks contain a significant amount of calories per serving, and we often have a lot more than just one serving! But how much damage does this do for your weight loss efforts? An ideal dietary plan reduces calorie intake by 250-500 calories per day to achieve a good amount of healthy weight loss per week.  One can easily see that 1-2 drinks per day puts pay to any good nutrition plan you might follow during the day. Simply said: 1-2 alcoholic drinks can seriously halt weight loss.

Another way to look at the effect alcohol has on weight loss is to compare the equivalent time needed to spend doing fitness training to burn these calories off! An individual of average fitness level and of average weight would apply the following effort to burn off 2 alcohol servings:

Training time required to burn off calories from alcohol:

Alcoholic drink Walking Swimming Running Cycling
Beer (355ml) 30 mins 17 mins 12 mins 13 mins
Light beer (355ml) 20 mins 11 mins 8 mins 9 mins
Low carb beer (355ml) 23 mins 13 mins 9 mins 10 mins
White wine sweet (200ml glass) 40 mins 23 mins 16 mins 18 mins
White wine dry (200ml glass) 29 mins 16 mins 12 mins 13 mins
Red wine (200ml glass) 28 mins 16 mins 11 mins 12 mins
Spirits (on ice / neat) 13 mins 7 mins 5 mins 6 mins
Water 0 mins 0 mins 0 mins 0 mins

There’s a lot of work to be done if  a few (or more) drinks are consumed. Think of all the blood, sweat, tears, and hard work that can go into a great fitness session….and how easily the efforts  can be reversed by drinking alcohol!  Additionally, alcohol contains no essential nutrients and reduces the absorption of Vitamins A, D, E, K, folate, B I, and B2 by altering Biotin (B7).  Lastly, alcohol does not contribute to muscle glycogen, so you may be left short on carbohydrates (Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains), which you need in order to train hard.

While it is true that red wines contain a natural phenol “resveratrol”, which permits blood cells to smoothly pass each

Handful of blueberries for improved health.

other instead of sticking to one another,  consider trading in your wine glass for fiber.  Resveratrol is also found in peanuts, soy, cranberries, blueberries, and Itadori tea which maybe a good substitute for red wine and linking it to possible human longevity.

By gaining knowledge on how to improve weight loss efforts, you can begin to feel better about your own appearance and body’s health over the next week, as your initial loss can be 2-7 pounds within the first days of working towards your new objective!

By: Kimberly Crocker

References:

Beauty of Wine and Grape Juice

Vitamin “H” for Haar and Haut

http://www.completefitness.com.au/articles/nutrition/alcoholweightloss.php

Home Remedy Facial! Stimulate Your Skins Collagen & Elastin

Our skin is able to play an important role in maintaining the body’s homeostasis. Skin has the ability to cool or keep warm through proper release or conservation of water, assists in maintenance of body temperature and protecting us from disease. Skin is made up of two important proteins that keep the connective tissues from deteriorating; collagen provides firmness to the skin while elastin gives flexibility. Foods that we eat contribute to building a meshwork of important collagen and elastin at the dermis. As we age the skin loses its moisture becomes dehydrated, wrinkled and sagged, both exercise and a healthy diet promotes the longevity and overall health of the skin.Collagen is made through the presence of Vitamin C and while zinc maintains both collagen and elastin.  Include these foods in your diet: Tomatoes, Oranges, Guava, Berries, Kiwi, Red Peppers, Brussel Sprouts, Cantaloupe, Nuts, Olives, Dark Chocolate.

Fish for Omega-3 come in a variety with salmon and  tuna  leading the way as excellent foods for building collagen and elastin in the body, keeping the health of cells strong so that proper blood flow is promoted throughout the body.

Prunes and Blueberries are chocked full of antioxidants excellent for combating free radicals which could otherwise work against the body so that illness could be more prevalent.  Prevent these damaging free radicals by eating ¼ cup of berries (blueberries), or 6 prunes, both which are ideal to optimize antioxidant intake.

Likewise Vitamin K is equally critical to healthy skin, it is a fat soluble vitamin stored in the liver and can be consumed in a variety of foods without exaggerating the serving size.  In most cases a daily serving of ½ cup of a dark green is sufficient for what your body needs.

Vitamin K1: Dark green vegetables (Asparagus, Broccoli, Cauliflower), Leafy Greens (Kale, Collards, Spinch), Green Tea, Cantaloupe, Banana’s, Kiwi, Berries, Apricots

Vitamin K2: found in chicken, salami, ground beef, hard and soft cheese butter.

The list and purpose of Vitamin K show’s why this important vitamin needs to be a part of our daily intake.

  1. Restores health of skin. If topically absorbed, helps to build up the skin around the wrinkle or line to actually erase the sight of them.
  2. Combined with topical vitamin A reduces:  bruises, scars, skin burns, rosacea and dark circles under the eyes.
  3. Promotes Prothrombin then thrombin for proper blood clotting and wound healing.
  4. Aids in curing osteoporosis. Blood is made in the bone. By having vitamin K present bones become stronger, aids bone formation and repair
  5. Prevents certain kinds of cancers that affect the inner linings of the organs, promotes flexible organs, fights against hardening of the arteries.
  6. Important role in the intestines as it helps to change glucose into glycogen(carbohydrate) thus promoting healthy liver function.  (If not present it would result in abnormal or internal bleeding.)
  7. Eat fresh salads, fruits and vegetables in order to optimize on the quality of food and vitamin. Cooking foods high in vitamin K causes the compounds to be leeched and reduces the overall benefit of both food and vitamin.

EASY TO MAKE TOPICAL FACIAL:

  • ¼ cup Rose Water
  • 2 Tbsp Sea Salt or try brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Honey

Combine all ingredients.  With a soft cloth apply mixture to face working in small circles. Rinse your face with warm water and pat dry with a towel, do not rub dry.  Skin scrub only twice a week for optimal skin health.

Homemade Facial Ointment (Cream)

  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • ½  tsp Honey
  • 1 tsp Green Tea (tea water squeezed from wet tea bag)
  • 6 drops Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Rose Water

Combine all ingredients.  The  apply  to face and neck, or entire body.  After 5-10 minutes rinse face with warm water and pat face dry with clean towel. This routine can be done once a day. Complete routine with a moisturizer. For sensitive use less time and if a rash appears use only 3 times a week.

HOME REMEDY FOR EYE SERUM

  • 6 drops Lemon Juice from fresh lemon  
  • ¼ tsp Honey
  • ½ tsp Rose Water

Combine all ingredients and apply under eye on orbital where dark circles and wrinkles are most prominent. Can be used once a day.

  • Honey is utilized to draw in moisture.  Add 1/2 tsp more if your skin is “Dry” and 6 drops of lemon juice.
  • Rose water softens skin.
  • Olive oil provides vitamin A and E to promote building of skin proteins.
  • Green tea has antioxidants to fight against free radicals that come in contact with your skin.
  • Lemon juice is high I vitamin C which stimulates new collagen and elastin in the skin.

Skin cells are rejuvenated every 30 days, utilize the homemade facial cream and see immediate results, noticeable softening and fading of facial lines within 10 days.