WHFoods: Quinoa

WHFoods: Quinoa

Most commonly considered a grain, quinoa is actually a relative of leafy green vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard. It is a recently rediscovered ancient "grain" once considered "the gold of the Incas."

Grapseed Oil

Grapeseed Oil Cooking and Health Benefits 
Grapeseed Oil has long been the secret of gourmet chefs who love its light, nutty, yet neutral flavor. It has the unique ability to enhance the flavors of ingredients instead of overpowering them and leaves no greasy aftertaste! It makes savory marinades and salad dressings that will not cloud when chilled, so you can use them right out of the refrigerator. Its high smoke point (485 F) makes it ideal for hot food preparation which means you can sauté, fry or bake without any smoking, splattering or burning. Its excellent emulsification properties make grapeseed oil ideal for whipping mayonnaise and creamy dressings that will not separate when chilled.

Grapeseed Oil is an ecologically sound product that is made from the seeds of grapes after the wine is pressed. It is high in vitamin E and is 76% linoleic acid (also known as Omega 6), an essential fatty acid. It is low in saturated fat, contains natural chlorophyll and valuable antioxidants (known as proanthocyninidins). Studies have shown that grapeseed oil has a unique ability that may significantly raise HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and lower LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol). It has also been shown to lower triglycerides, the effect of which may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and impotency, something that no other food product has been known to do.

Useful Guides

Useful Guides

www.balancedbites.com

See the difference between chemical and non-chemical sweeteners and get my tips on the best choices in this handy, one-page guide.

Recommend It

SparkPeople.com - Why I love it.

I just got the "Spark" book and the introduction has the explanation of why I love it. I really could not have said it better.

The Sparkpeople Magic Formula

• Goal-setting: A system of visualizing your larger goals that gives more meaning to your daily actions, and a way to create and build confidence and momentum that fuels results.   

Goal setting is a proven method. It works if you work it.

• Behavior change: Using wisdom from the science of behavior change to help you turn  the tide on negative behaviors and effectively replace those unhealthy habits with healthy ones that then become a natural, even enjoyable, part of your life.

Yes, yes it does.

• Community support: Inspiring real-life stories of ordinary people who’ve transformed their lives, and a 24/7 source of help and encouragement.

There is an abundance of support. From the message boards to the individual spark pages. When I first found Sparkpeople I was looking for someone in my neck of the woods to walk with. I found a group of ladies that walked twice a week at the park right down the street from my house. It was perfect. Side note: Just be careful when meeting people over the Internet. Safety first.

• Positive motivation: Points, trophies, and awards that transform dieting into a fun and exciting adventure.

Points, and trophies, and awards... oh my.

• Team-building: Affiliations with other members based on geography, hobbies, interests, and amount of weight to lose. 

See community support above.

• Accessibility: A program that easily fits into the most hectic life, building momentum while remaining entertaining and fun.

Sparkpeople.com is open 24/7.

• World-class technology: Tools, content, and community, continuously updated, often from suggestions by SparkPeople.com members.

The tools alone are priceless.

I just started reading the book so I can't comment on it. If it's anything like the website then I love it.

Thanks to the support at Sparkpeople.com, eating healthy and Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred I lost 50 pounds in less than four months.

Nutrition and Beauty Myths

10 Common Nutrition And Beauty Myths -- Busted http://huff.to/puRZ2b

One of the myths that was brought up is "Is it better to eat non-organic than no fruit at all?".

Here's a great guide to find out what to buy organic – and why - with EWG’s 2011 Shopper\’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. We rank 53 popular fruits and vegetables based on their total pesticide loads.

Another myth, Is it really bad to skip breakfast in the morning? The answer was yes. I agree and disagree with this. If you're hungry, then yes eat. If your not it won't hurt to wait an hour or two to eat your first meal of the day. Your best bet is to start your morning with a "Green Drink". It is the best thing you can do for your body and mind.

Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?

Mark Bittman: Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?
By By MARK BITTMAN
Published: September 24, 2011
Chips really aren't cheaper than broccoli. So what’s stopping people from eating more healthfully?

Great article read it here.