Tag: eating

Copy Of February 2020 Blogs

Which Fruits Help Your Body Function Better

By

On March 11, 2020

In Marissa Elman

Which Fruits Help Your Body Function Better? 

We all know that fruits are good for us. Fruits provide the necessary energy and nutrients that our bodies need to function. We know we need a good balance of fruits in our diets, but which fruits are beneficial for which of our body organs and systems? We would all like to eat with more purpose, right? Check out some specific fruit tidbits below. 

 

Apples

 “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is more than a catchy rhyme! Research tells us that apples are among the healthiest fruits we can eat. Apples are packed with fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and K. Their antioxidants facilitate healthy heart function and reduce the risk of some types of cancers and type 2 diabetes. 

 

Grapes

 Grapes are a marvelous source of fiber and potassium; their antioxidants help lower blood sugar and prevent certain cancers and heart disease. Red-skinned grapes specifically contain a higher amount of the previously mentioned nutrients. 

 

Pineapple

 If you enjoy a tropical treat, look no further than the pineapple. Loaded with vitamin C and manganese (a mineral necessary for proper body and brain functionality), pineapple also contains bromelain, which is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. 

 

 Some people subscribe to the idea that the shape of the fruit is essential. Specifically, if the fruit itself resembles the form of a body organ, then the fruit is beneficial for that organ (or body system). This type of thinking dates back to the era of Socrates and Plato, but there is actually some scientific backing to it. A couple of top examples are:

 

Grapefruits

 When sliced in half, grapefruits resemble the human breast, and the fruit itself is especially useful in helping prevent and combat certain types of breast cancers. It’s also helpful to know that citrus fruits, in general, are beneficial for us due to the high vitamin C content, the antioxidants and the plant compounds that can help facilitate weight loss. 

 

Tomatoes

 Cut open a fresh tomato, and you will see a small, pale heart created from the tomato’s pulp and seed formation. The familiar formation is more than a coincidence; tomatoes are also a heart-healthy fruit! The lycopene inside tomatoes leads to a reduced rate of heart disease in both men and women.

 

Bananas

 Hold a banana in front of your face, and you’ll have a big yellow smile. That’s because bananas contain tryptophan, which, once converted to serotonin inside your body, produces happy and peaceful thoughts.

 

Fruits are an essential part of our daily diet and our health! Try mixing in a balance of the previously mentioned fruits to live a healthier, happier lifestyle. 

5 Of The Best Vegetarian Restaurants In The Us Marissa Elman

5 of the Best Vegetarian Restaurants in the U.S.

By

On May 5, 2019

In Health & Wellness, Marissa Elman, Vegan, Veganism, Vegetarianism

The United States has become a major contender on the worldwide vegetarian dining stage. In fact, most of the highest ranked vegetarian restaurants in the world are located in the US, with only a handful of them falling outside of the country. Read on to learn more about the vegetarian restaurants in the U.S. with the highest rankings.

 

Blossoming Lotus

Located in the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, the Blossoming Lotus offers up delicious American Asian fusion cuisine. Their all-vegetarian menu offers restaurant patrons fully organic plant-based entrees such as Live Nachos, Cheesy Plate, Tandoori Cauliflower, Fingerling Potatoes, Roasted Beet and Apple Salad, Chicory Caesar Salad, Carnitas Enchiladas, and much more.

 

Bouldin Creek Cafe

Located in Austin, Texas, this vegetarian restaurant serves up an absolutely delicious and cutting edge vegetarian meal selection. Some of the delicious dishes include a kale side salad, Brussel bites, summer Buddha bowl, BBQ McFib, Natalie’s Noodle Bowl, Joe’s jackfruit tacos, Ruby Reuben, and a lot more. Almost all of their menu items are already or can be prepared vegan, as well.

 

Bulan Thai

The name says it all. This heavenly restaurant offers up delicious vegetarian Thai cuisine. Located in sunny Los Angeles, California, their menu features items such as spring rolls, corn fritters, golden tofu, tempeh, sate, seaweed rolls, curry puffs, and much more. The establishment also offers a wide selection of all-vegan desserts and drinks to choose from. Bulan Thai prides itself on providing delicious dishes that use no meat, no M.S.G., and no trans fats.

 

Bunna Cafe

This vegetarian Ethiopian restaurant can be found in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. An absolute hit with the local vegetarians, their menu features amazing and authentic African dishes such as Shiro, Gomen, Yatakit Alicha, Keysir Selata, Misir Wot, and much more. If you’ve never tried Ethiopian cuisine, Bunna Cafe has you covered with a variety of delicious, healthy dishes.

 

Crossroads Kitchen

Another restaurant based in Los Angeles, California, the Crossroads Kitchen offers patrons a delicious assortment of American-style vegetarian cuisine. On their menu, you can find mouthwatering dishes such as chickpeas with creamy French dressing sauce, vegan kabobs, vegan hamburgers, tossed salads, lima bean pasta, bean and rice bowls, and much more.

 

With more individuals trying out vegetarian lifestyles, the number of restaurants that cater to these dietary choices is growing. Though the five restaurants featured here are arguably among the best in terms of taste and value, there are plenty of other establishments across the country that are worth trying.

Extreme Fad Diets You Should Never Try

By

On May 31, 2017

In Health & Wellness, Marissa Elman

faddiet_marissaelman

Most people who have tried to lose weight have attempted a fad diet or two. These diets typically force you to eat certain foods for a specific length of time, normally a week or so, in hopes that you will see a significant drop in your weight. While these diets may seem harmless, they can actually do more harm than good, and you’re likely to put all of the weight back on that you lost once you return to your normal diet. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, so the following fad diets should be avoided at all costs.

 

The Tapeworm Diet

This diet was made popular in the 1950’s, and it involved the dieter swallowing actual tapeworms. The premise behind it was that the tapeworm would consume the calories and the person’s body would not have a chance to absorb the excess calories. Not only is this diet absolutely disgusting, it’s actually extremely dangerous. Having a parasite in your body can lead to weight loss, but at a serious cost to good health. A myriad of problems can arise such as fatigue, cramps, diarrhea, and even an intestinal block if the tapeworm gets large enough. This one is the worst of the worst and should not even be considered.

 

The Cabbage Soup Diet

Many people who have tried fad diets have tried this diet along the way. The cabbage soup diet promises that you’ll lose at least 10 pounds and consists of eating cabbage soup for an entire week with different fruits and vegetables for select days. While this isn’t the most dangerous diet, it is not going to be effective in losing weight in the long term. The 10 pounds that you do lose is going to be all water weight, and maybe even some muscle mass since the diet does not include very much protein to retain muscle.

 

Cotton Ball Diet

This extreme diet is also extremely dangerous. Popularized by YouTube among teenage girls, the cotton ball diet involves the dieter swallowing cotton balls that have been soaked in some type of juice or smoothie in hopes that it will allow the person to feel full and not want to eat anything. Much like the tapeworm diet, the cotton ball diet can lead to serious health problems and even death in some case. The reason it is so dangerous is because the cotton balls can get stuck throughout the digestive system, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. Stick to eating cotton candy every once in awhile and leave actual cotton balls for their intended hygiene-related purposes.

 

Instead of cutting any food out, learn the power of eating in moderation and increase your daily physical activity. Leave the fad diets alone and always talk to your doctor before you begin any significant changes to your diet.

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén