Some days I have a hard time making good food choices. My poor food choices just end up on my hips and backside. Each time I put on clean jeans I want to believe that I left them way too long in the dryer. I giggle. Then I get real with myself.
This is the time of year that is really hard for me. I love, love, love all those sweets. My sister makes the best peanut clusters using almond bark, chocolate chips, M&Ms, marshmallows and peanuts, of course. They are soooo good!
But, I should be excited about all the fresh fruit and veggies that are available this time of year. Just a few years ago you couldn't find fresh strawberries for sale at the end of the summer. Strawberries had a short season of availability. Not anymore. Last week I bought a pack of lucious strawberries at the market.
Speaking of strawberries and grapes. Have you ever associated the shape of strawberries or a cluster of grapes with a part of the human body?
Nutrients found in strawberries include Vitamin A, C & B6, fiber, potassium, antioxidants and flavonoids. Your immune system needs these warriors to prevent heart disease and cancers.
The potassium, fiber and antioxidants help deter heart disease. Potassium and fiber helps to reduce blood pressure. Antioxidants deter the oxidation of cholesterol and helps prevent the plaque buildup in your arteries which leads to heart disease. Flavonoids prevent stroke by reducing the inflamation of arteries.
Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene which the body converts to Vitamin A. This vitamin helps prevent night blindness and helps with the maintenance of a healthy and clear cornea.
Lutein is also present in carrots. This antioxidant helps lower the risk of macular degeneration of the eye.
The bones in your body can resemble celery stalks, bok choy or rhubarb. It is believed that bones are 23% sodium. Believe it or not; but, these veggies contain 23% sodium. Coincidence? I think not. If your sodium level is too low the body replenishes sodium from your bones. Theses foods can help replenish those depleted sodium levels in your bones and also help build bone strength.
Some other examples:
- Avocados, eggplants and pears resemble the shape of the womb. These foods target the health of the reproductive organs of the female body. Did you know that it takes nine months for an avocado to grow from blossom to fruit? Eating an avocado a week can help balance hormones, shed unwanted weight and help prevent some cervical cancers.
- Tomato has four chambers just like the human heart. Lycopine, another antioxidant, found in tomatoes protects the cells from oxygen damage and helps prevent heart disease.
- Walnuts resemble the human brain. When you crack a walnut open and remove part of the shell you find two sections of walnut. Our brain has two hemispheres; right and left; along with the upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds of the cortex are represented in the walnut. Walnuts contain high levels of omega-3s and are believed to help more than thirty six neuron transmitters for brain function.
Remember when you had to make up games to get your kids to eat their food? It's the same principle! Try making those associations next time you make a trip to the market. You just might have fun picking out that produce. Woo Hoo your choices!
Living a WOO HOO life together!
Til next time. Believe.
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I've found a great website, via help from my beautiful daughter, www.livestrong.com It has made a world of difference to my eating habits.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to set up and track the food you eat each day and it calculates how many calories you have left after each meal entered. The wonderful thing is that when you add your exercise, you get more calories to consume! I've lost almost 10 pounds!!!!
Sheree'
ReplyDeleteWoo Hoo! 10# that's wonderful to hear. Keep it up!!
Now it's my turn! Off to check out this website.