TIP: #15: I May be a Little Nutty :)
I LOVE eating foods that are tasty and nutritious and filling at the same time! That is why I eat NUTS and SEEDS everyday!
Even though nuts are high in fat, they do NOT make me fat! In fact, this is the first time in my life that my weight has been kept under control easily! And, I attribute much of that to the nuts and seeds that I consume daily!
One of the biggest reasons that they help to control weight is that they are filling. The amount of fat and fiber and protein in them is what keeps me full longer and that helps to prevent blood sugar highs and cravings (more ammunition to help ward off the dreaded Diabetes)!
On the skin and beauty side, nuts have tons of vitamin and minerals and antioxidants that keep skin supple and wrinkle-free. The healthy fat that they contain also contribute to skin health!
Here are a few of the ones I eat most often and some of their health benefits:
WALNUTS: Loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids that are very beneficial to brain and heart health (Have you ever noticed that a walnut kind of looks like a brain :)
ALMONDS: Loaded with Fiber and the antioxidant Vitamin E for fighting cancer.
BRAZILIAN NUTS: Lots of Selenium which is a powerful antioxidant!
CASHEWS: Full of Iron and Zinc which help immunity!
PECANS: Lots of Oleic Acid which studies have found fight Breast Cancer.
PUMPKIN SEEDS: Loads of Magnesium and Plant Phytosterols known to fight Prostate Cancer.
So, next time you feel like reaching for the chip bag, why not grab a handful of nuts and seeds instead and be a little "nutty" for the day :)?
TIP #13: Indulge in the Alligator Pear :)
When my grand-baby was around 4 months old, she started eating solid foods. I knew that my daughter only wanted to feed her whole natural fruits and veggies (not processed food from baby jars). So when she stayed with us, I had to find the perfect food to feed her. That's when I fed her the AVOCADO (or the "Alligator Pear" as some refer to it).
The avocado represented the "perfect" 1st food for my grand-baby. It is a SUPER-FOOD with over 20 vitamins and minerals in each avocado. It has an abundant amount of healthy fats known as monounsaturated fats that help the developing brain (and us "old" brains, too :)
The avocado is easily digested and has a whopping 10-15 grams of fiber in each one! Because of the high fiber content, it helps stave off diabetes because it digests slowly and reduces blood sugar spikes. Additionally, because of the amount of fiber and healthy fat, avocados help you feel full longer which helps to maintain a healthy weight.
I make sure to eat at least one avocado daily because one of the most fabulous benefits about avocados is that they contain a good amount of Carotenoids which help with eye health. Maintaining healthy eyes is very important to me as I have suffered from eye problems due to some thyroid issues I have struggled with.
Another very healthy benefit of avocados is that the type of fat that they have in them helps the body absorb other nutrients that are fat soluble. For instance, adding avocado to a salad helps your body absorb more of the nutrients from the other veggies!
As for skin health and beauty, the avocado has large amounts of Antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C, and E! You can even make a nourishing face mask with an avocado to apply topically to the skin. I find that the OIL is so wonderful that I add the oil to my hair when I am shampooing for added shine.
Added to all of that, avocados fight cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease and high blood pressure (they even have more potassium than bananas)!
My husband and I are delighted our grand-babies love the avocado and we try to feed them one every time they visit.
