Quinoa…An Ancient Seed for Health and Vitality

Have you ever heard of the mysterious food called  “Quinoa”?

In the last 5 years or so , I have been asked the same question over and over again “What in the WORLD is quinoa?”   Having a lot of clients who are professional fitness athletes , I decided to write a brief article on this fantastic topic to inform everyone about this amazing food.

Most people have never heard of this particular “super-food” and if they have, it is probably a regular food in their pantry, due to all of its great health benefits! Quinoa, pronounced (keen-wa) is often mistaken as a grain and has been around for THOUSANDS of years. Quinoa is actually a seed that is a distant relative of the spinach plant. It has an oval shape and is similar in size to millet . This awesome super-food has become more popular in the United States in the last 5 years than ever before and only started being harvested here in the USA since about 1980 . The Quinoa plant thrives in poor soil and grows in mountain climates .  Indigenous to the Andes Mountains in Ecuador (South America) this food was prized food of the Incas and known as the “Gold of the Incas” as it powered their warriors through long days at war.

Quinoa comes in varied colors, anything from yellow to red or even a dark brown or black can be found! If you cannot find this wonderful seed at your local supermarket, it is commonly found in health food stores .

There are many benefits of eating Quinoa.

1. It is a complete protein. This particular seed contains all of the 9 essential amino acids. A complete protein source is uncommon in vegan foods! In fact, one-half cup of dry quinoa contains 11 grams of protein .
2. Contains many nutrients & antioxidants such as copper, magnesium, iron. These, and other nutrients, help in keeping free radicals from harming our bodies, but play other important roles as well. Magnesium assists in keeping the blood vessels dilated and relaxed, thus proving a GREAT choice for those with hypertension.
3. Low Glycemic Index (35)  AND Moderate Glycemic Load (18)! This is a very slow absorbing complex carbohydrate which makes it a good choice for those trying to lose fat . What this means is that having such low numbers means this food will not cause your pancreas to release insulin at a high rate. Your blood sugar will stabilize and you will feel full for longer periods of time. A great tool for those looking into weight loss!!!
4. Can be eaten any time of day. Sometimes known as a pseudocereal or a pseudograin, this food can be enjoyed like an oatmeal or hot cereal,  or as a rice-type (some people like to make it like a pilaf) or even as a spread or dip for veggies or sandwiches like hummus! Once cooked, it has a fluffy, creamy and slightly crunchy texture with a ‘nutty’ flavor. Another BONUS to this food is that it cooks in a shorter time than rice! Stove top it will cook in about 12 minutes!
5. Vegan friendly and Gluten-free. Most vegetarians are looking for a complete protein source and this is one of the few! It’s a great way to incorporate extra protein and healthy carbs into your diet.

There aren’t many foods that I feel people simply MUST try, however, this is one of the few! If you can add something as healthy as Quinoa to your weekly foods… you will improve your quality of life and feel GREAT. Be sure to let us know how you like it on your weight loss blog or weight loss podcast!

Eating During Pregnancy: Upping Your Protein Intake

Your eating during pregnancy will change slightly depending on the trimester you are currently in. During your first trimester, you may be dealing with morning sickness and may need to find ways to deal with the nausea and lack of appetite that comes with that issue.

If you are in your third trimester, you may be dealing with indigestion and acid reflux issues as the muscles in your body relax in preparation for labor. Second trimester nutrition is focused on many issues, one of which is the need to increase your consumption of protein.

Why Is Protein Important?

Protein is important, especially during this second trimester, for two reasons. First, protein supplies your baby with essential amino acids that make it possible for her to grow and develop properly. Your baby’s development during these three months grows by leaps and bounds, particularly in her brain and nervous system, so getting these amino acids is highly important.

Secondly, eating enough protein will help you keep your weight gain within the proper boundaries. Protein helps you feel fuller and more satiated during and after meals, helping to prevent overeating.

How to Increase Your Protein Intake

Eating more protein doesn’t have to mean eating lots of meat, although all-natural portions of lean beef or chicken are a great way to get the nutrients you and your baby need. You might also try having a handful of raw nuts as part of your two snacks a day.

Nut butters are another great way to get protein without eating meat. You can also eat whole organic eggs to get the protein you need. The key is to get protein with every meal. So, for example, your day might look like this:

• Eggs with breakfast;
• Raw nuts for snack;
• Grilled chicken with lunch;
• Nut butter in celery sticks for snack;
• Organic, lean steak for dinner.

Grow Your Short Hair Longer

Do you find your new haircut too short? You may ask yourself if there’s a way to make your hair grow faster? The answer is yes, you can. Although hair normally grows at the rate of ½ inch per month, there are some things that you can do to speed up the hair growth process. People have different rates of hair growth. Some grow fast and some slower. There are also several factors that can influence how slow or fast your hair can grow.

No matter how bad your new haircut looks like, you should ease up . Did you know that stress can slow down the rate of hair growth? Stress puts demands on the body above its normal capability — mentally, physically, and physiologically. Therefore, stress depletes the body of energy that would otherwise be used for other normal functions that the body needs. Stress slows down hair growth and can even cause hair loss in extreme cases.

To prevent stress during this awkward stage of trying to regrow your hair, consult with your stylist for products that get you through the waiting period. The stylists can also advice on the best styling options for your seemingly bad haircut.

To aid in growing your hair faster, F.A.S.T. is a breakthrough product that is specially formulated to feed the each strand with the essential nutrients needed to make hair grow. Using just your regular shampoo and conditioner during your hair’s dreadful stage will make it seem like forever to see any growth at all. By simply replacing your everyday shampoo and conditioner, you can make your hair grow up to 45% faster.

How does F.A.S.T. (Fortified Amino Scalp Therapy) work? It goes further than simply cleansing the hair. F.A.S.T. contains all the good stuff for optimum hair growth. F.A.S.T. works similar to a multi-vitamin, supplying the hair with the essential B vitamins like Panthenol, Inositol, and Biotin plus essential amino acids. Since it contains only natural herbs and vitamins, it is safe to use every day.

Now you don’t have to wait forever to grow outgrow that horrible hair style. You can definitely grow your hair longer in no time at all, even if you have slow growing hair.

 

 

How to Make the Perfect Hard Boiled Egg for a Healthy Fat Loss Snack

Being a self-proclaimed health nut and busy mother of three , I am someone who is always looking for a high protein snack , I have found that eggs are something that appeals to nearly everyone and I tend to enjoy often! With so many different recipes and ways to cook them , they rarely fall on that list of ‘things I’ll never eat again’.  Eggs are easy to eat, not too messy and great food for on-the-go eating (I know most of us are looking for healthy on the go snacks!).

In fact, eggs are a great source of protein that contains ALL of the essential amino acids that our body needs to build and repair muscle! To get all the benefit of an egg, you must eat the entire egg . Organic , cage-free eggs are always a better choice if they are availableMany of my clients use eggs as a weight loss snack,so let me share with you the simple 3-step method for cooking the perfect hard-boiled egg that I share with my clients. 

3 EASY STEPS TO A PERFECT HARDBOILED EGG!

Below you will find a recipe to make the perfect HARD-BOILED EGGS. You may not need this recipe if your boiled eggs turn out perfect every time and you’ve never have a problem with the membrane sticking to the white of the egg. However,  if you are like me, you’ve tried  many times and only occasionally got it right… the recipe below will ensure you have EASY TO PEEL eggs every time!!

RECIPE FOR PERFECT HARDBOILED EGGS

1. Start by placing the eggs in a pot of COLD water Be sure there is a minimum of an inch of water above the top of each egg. The idea is to stabilize the temperature between the water and eggs.
2. Place the pot with the eggs and water over high heat until the water comes to a full boil . IMMEDIATELY take the pot off the heat and cover with a tightly-fitting lid . The eggs will continue to cook from the heat of the water.
3. Let the eggs sit in the pan in the hot water for 12 minutes for medium eggs, 15 minutes for large eggs and 18 minutes for extra large eggs. USE A TIMER! After your timer goes off, drain water and replace with ice cold water. Let the temperature between water and eggs stalilize again and you’ll have the perfect BOILED EGGS! Now, enjoy your healthy snack and give yourself a pat on the back for cooking the perfect, incredible, edible, weight loss snack!

As a final note, I have been noticing, on many weight loss blogs, that there are concerns about regular consumption of eggs. Studies have shown that daily consumption of eggs will not cause an elevation of cholesterol or heart disease risk. Most cholesterol problems can be linked to excess carbohydrate intake rather than excess cholesterol consumption. So, go ahead, enjoy your eggs!