A Year in Review

Written By Ruth Cruz

With the holiday season keeping us busy, myself included, I thought to offer a year in review of some of the topics I covered throughout the year. Here are some important notes and links to the original articles so that you can read over any material that may be relevant to you at this time.

In February we looked at some of the benefits of cocoa. These include reducing the risk of stroke and blood clots, improved blood vessel health and increasing blood flow to arteries, lowering high blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, boosting cognitive performance all while providing vital nutrients. Cocoa itself contains various essential minerals including calcium, iron, potassium, copper, selenium and magnesium. The consumption of flavonoid-rich cocoa was also linked to the reduction of risk factors associated with diabetes, which is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Click on this link to see the details about the benefits of chocolate/cocoa and how this delectable delight can also be a healthy treat.

March of course we talked about going green and green living. I focused on an edible approach using the play on eating green to highlight some of the benefits of green foods as well as how we choose to prepare and consume them. We can mix greens into recipes, snack on raw green veggies, drink smoothies that elude the stereotypical green vegetable taste and even enjoy teatime in a green manner. Incidentally, green tea is a favorite high power antioxidant rich beverage that can be served hot or cold. It has been reported to reduce the risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol and protect against cancer, how’s that for green power! Be sure to check out all the benefits of eating “green” and different ways to eat or even drink them as you click here to look back at March’s article on Going Green.

In April we talked about dealing with stress. There are a variety of things that people can do to reduce stress. This article addresses the most commonly noted stress relieving activities as well as a few suggestions of things to eat and drink that can be helpful as well. Click here to read about stress and what you can do to be sure your body has all the ammunition it needs nutritionally to help you maintain a healthy stress response.

In May we talked about Blood Pressure. How much do you know about blood pressure? Did you know that you that you can have high blood pressure and not know it?  1 in 3 adults in the U.S, have hypertension.  So why is high blood pressure such an issue?  You may have heard it’s important to keep your blood pressure under control, but you may not know why. By gaining an understanding of what increases the risk of high blood pressure, the dangers of having high blood pressure present, and what aggravates an existing condition, you can be better prepared to manage your health and minimize the chances of facing a life threatening experience. If you’re unfamiliar with the importance of controlling this risk factor in your life, click on this link to read this article on blood pressure. 

June’s article we reviewed issues people have with fatigue. AKA…Lethargic, weakness, weary, debilitated, dull, exhausted, enervated, feeble, weighted, tiredness, listless, burnt out, foggy, overtired, fatigue.  All of these are a basic description of how many of us are spending our days. Yet we bravely trek on through going to work, taking care of our families, and trying to stay on top of the basics that are important in our lives. Yet why do so many of us experience these, which can be overwhelming feelings of exhaustion?  Well there are many reasons for fatigue, yet there are also various levels of fatigue as well as various reasons. Click here to revisit this article on fatigue, as it reviews some basic facts and concerns you should know and how you can combat this weary topic.

The summer edition of the newsletter I dealt with what I consider one of the most important topics…sugar. It’s one of the prime culprits in the decline of health among Americans. Although the most common consequences of overindulging in sugars are diabetes and obesity, yet it’s not as simple as that any more. An overload of sugar not only comes from direct consumption of sweets, but a variety of foods that comprise a sugar-laden masquerade. In this article I not only identify some of the hidden sugars in many foods that are on supermarket shelves, but also some of the sugar substitutes that have been injected into many foods marketed as diet or sugar-free. I also highlight healthful sugar substitute choices that have entered the market. Click here to read this article on sugar if you missed this important discussion.

In September I visited the health benefits of tea. Tea is one of the most commonly consumed beverages in the world. There are some common questions that the tea novice may ponder such as,  “How long should I steep tea?” “Among all varieties of tea, which offers the most health benefits?” “What about the caffeine in tea? Should I drink decaf?” “Does decaf tea provide the same health benefits?” “How much tea do I need to drink to make it worthwhile to drink tea?” “Should I put milk in my tea?” Deserving of serious consideration for the many benefits that can be reaped as a flavorful drink, it can be served hot or cold as long as certain things are respected. Click here to read this article on how to healthfully fill up your cup on a chilly afternoon.

October I wrote about Hispanic Heritage Month and highlighted a few of the healthy culinary choices that this deep culture has to offer. Many Hispanic dishes are full of flavors and ingredients sure to be loved by the whole family including various that suit a vegetarian menu.  Delicious beans, tasty cheeses, fresh vegetables, as well as seasoned meats make up many simple recipes that don’t require a culinary degree in order to prepare a surprisingly tasty meal. Hispanic cuisine encompasses the cooking rituals of various regions bearing distinct flavors from their noble roots. But what they all share is a sense of adventure and emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients that can be easily incorporated into a healthy diet. If you look beyond the stereotypical nachos and tacos, Old World expertise mixes with New World ingredients and techniques in Hispanic cooking. The results are delicious foods that are cooked with flair, which can light up and fascinate your palate while offering many health benefits. Click here to read the article that can spice up your cuisine.