Are you aware your dishwasher may be harboring mold, yeast, etc? Many times, we don't realize that the cleaning appliance itself needs to be cleaned! You should take a disinfectant wipe and go around the seal on the door of your dishwasher a couple of times a week as that area may be home to mold and other fungi that don't get killed by the dish detergent and high temperatures. These menaces can cause wheezing and other problems if allowed to build up.
NOTE: I realize that right now during this COVID-19 crisis we, especially those with families to feed, are buying and eating what we can get and maybe more processed foods because they will keep better. However, when possible it would be wise to follow this advice from Ms Ansel.
I often hear people say how healthy granola is. This is another marketing ploy that can fool you into eating something advertised as healthy when you should be avoiding it. Yes, granola is made up of healthy whole grains, nuts, and fruits, etc. But check out your granola to see what you are really getting. This is especially important if you are diabetic or watching your sugar and/or carb intake. Granola can be healthy, especially if you make your own, but it can also be a sugar trap. Eating whole grains loses a lot of its value when it is loaded down with sugar and dried fruits. Be cautious of dried fruits, they are high in sugar content. If you eat granola with milk for breakfast, that is not necessarily a good breakfast. Take this equation as an example:
If oatmeal is not a regular on your breakfast menu, it needs to be added. Most people are aware that oatmeal is recommend highly as a breakfast food but many may not be sure why. Most of us know that oatmeal is high in soluble fiber and many know that soluble fiber fights bad cholesterol. But did you also know it burns belly fat? If you are looking for ways to reduce belly fat, start eating a bowl of oatmeal everyday! One thing you want to avoid though is the prepackaged sweetened oatmeal, the sugar content is too high. Make your own oatmeal and add your own sweetness with fresh fruit or berries and some ground flax seed.
Is Kiwi a part of your diet? If it isn't, it probably should be. Did you know that a serving of kiwi - that's two, by the way - gives you as much potassium as a banana? So if you are dealing with high blood pressure you definitely want to add kiwi to your diet! Those two little kiwi also give you more vitamin C than the average orange! And here's the good part, that serving of kiwi is only 85 calories! What a deal; great taste, only 85 calories, high in potassium, and in vitamin C. That should be enough to make anyone want to try the little green fruits!
You may wonder how something as simple as cherries can have an effect on cancer. Cherries are an anti-inflammatory fruit and inflammation is something we always need to combat. But here is the best part about cherries and cancer. The tartness in cherries comes from perillyl alcohol. Studies suggest perillyl alcohol deprives cancer of the proteins it needs to flourish and grow. In lab tests, perillyl alcohol has done well against advanced breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Cherries also contain the photochemicals isoquercitrin and quercetin both of which are known to inhibit colon cancer cells. If you or a loved one are battling any of these cancers, work cherries into your/their diet. Also a good idea for all of us to enjoy some cherries in hopes of protecting ourselves from cancer.
Are you having trouble focusing, paying attention, absorbing things during late night studying, etc? You might want to make yourself a cup of peppermint tea! In University studies it was found that peppermint tea upped office workers' performance during the day. When you smell the mint aroma from your hot peppermint tea, it stimulates the brain's arousal system and helps you pay attention. Perhaps at your next long boring meeting you should try a cup of peppermint tea instead of coffee! Yes, I have been there, done that long boring meeting thing. Why do you think they keep the coffee pot going during those meetings? Suggest they add peppermint tea to the beverage cart!
