Cranberry Craze!!!

Cranberry Creations!

It’s that time of year guys! Its cranberry season and I must say, I am very thankful for this wonderful fruit. Did you know cranberries are one of three fruit that are native to North America?

As a New Jersey resident I am proud to say, NJ is currently the 3^rd largest cranberry producing area in the US following Massachusetts and Wisconsin.

The majority of cranberry harvest in New Jersey takes place in October. If you have never been to a harvest-it is definitely worth checking out!!

Now let’s discuss why cranberries are so nutritious. Cranberries contain nature’s most powerful antioxidant, proanthocyanidins Type A (PACs). This compound has antioxidant and anti-adhesion properties which have been shown to help fight certain harmful bacterial in the body including the cardiovascular system and for many parts of the digestive tract (including the mouth and gums, stomach, and colon).

Many people associate cranberries with urinary tract infection prevention. Cranberries contain more antioxidants than many commonly consumed fruit.

A review of several different research articles showed that cranberries and cranberry supplements benefit in reducing and preventing UTI’s is inconclusive. This doesn’t mean they are not beneficial-only that more research needs to be done to come to a stronger conclusion of cranberries and their protective effects on urinary tract infections.  Cranberries are definitely good in preventing bacterial buildup in your tract however it may not be as helpful once the infection has already started. 

Cranberries have 35 calories per half cup, they are a good source of fiber and manganese, vitamin C and Vitamin E.

The bottom line? Cranberries in their whole form will provide you with wonderful vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Consuming cranberries in their whole form cannot really hurt you so go ahead and enjoy your cranberries this season. If you are looking to consume cranberry daily for prevention and prophylaxis I would suggest either taking 300-400mg of cranberry extract daily or drinking at least one 8 oz. serving of cranberry juice (concentrated organic kind) daily.

Some recipes to try out over the holiday season. ENJOY!!

 

Cranberry Bruschetta

1 bag of fresh or frozen cranberries

¹⁄₄ cup sugar

¹⁄₄ cup red wine vinegar

¹⁄₂ red onion, thinly sliced into rings

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons minced fresh basil

1 teaspoon oregano

1 loaf French bread and Olive oil for brushing bread

DIRECTIONS

1)    Combine Cranberries, sugar, red wine in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add onion and garlic and simmer for 10 minutes or until cranberries pop.

2)    Pout into glass bowl. Add basil and oregano and then cool to room temperature.

3)    Cut bread into ½ inch slices. Brush bread on both sides with olive oil. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Top with cranberry mixture.

Cranberry Raisin Apple Crisp

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

½ cup flour

½ cup brown sugar

5 tablespoon cold butter cut into pieces

12 ounce pack cranberries

2 large Golden delicious apples (cut into ½ inch pieces)

½ cup raisins

¾ cups sugar

Orange peel to taste

Juice from one fresh orange and Cinnamon to taste!!

DIRECTIONS

1)    Heat oven to 375. In medium bowl, combine oats, flour and sugar. Add butter in mixture until forms a crumble like consistency.

2)    In another bowl, combine, cranberries, apples, raisins, sugar, flour, orange juice and zest and cinnamon. Transfer this mixture into a soufflé dish.

3)    Top the fruit with the butter crumble mixture and bake for about 45 minutes or until top is browned just a tad.

 

 

Fruit and Veggie wheel

 

Are you missing any colors from your diet? What fruits or vegetables could you eat to complete your healthy rainbow??

Blood Pressure and Dementia... Enough said...

BLOOD PRESSURE ARTICLE REVIEW:

Keeping blood pressure within normal ranges may help,

"Prevent dementia and may even benefit patients who are losing their mental abilities.”

If you don’t already know, I am completely obsessed with my blood pressure. I got diagnosed with high blood pressure a few months back and having been successfully weaning myself off my blood pressure medication with my own personalized therapeutic nutrition and herbal regime. Of note, I check my blood pressure every day (once in the AM and once in the evening).

A new study came out which showed that fluctuations in blood pressure may be linked to faster declines in thinking skills among seniors. This report was published in the Journal of Hypertension online on May 23^rd.

My specialty is seniors so I was immediately drawn to this study. Dementia in the senior population is not uncommon. However, as the years go by, more and more research is coming out showing and proving to us that dementia is more preventable and treatable than we think.

According to Qin, this study cannot prove that fluctuations in blood pressure cause declines in mental ability, but it adds to mounting evidence that these changes in blood pressure may have health consequences.

"Higher long-term variability in blood pressure readings predicted faster declines of mental function among older adults," Qin said. "Controlling blood pressure instability may be a potential strategy in preserving mental function among older adults," she suggested.

Researchers found that among older patients, those whose systolic blood pressure -- the top number in a blood pressure reading -- varied between doctor's visits showed more rapid mental deterioration and loss of verbal memory than those whose blood pressure stayed within normal range.  Yes folks (Dad)…  Keep your pressure under control!!

For the study, Qin and colleagues collected data on nearly 1,000 adults aged 55 and older who took part in the China Health and Nutrition Survey over five years.

Blood pressure was calculated from three or four visits to health professionals. Participants also completed a series of mental quizzes, such as word recall and counting backwards.

But high blood pressure and low blood pressure may both be damaging to the brain, she added. The goal is to try to achieve a stable blood pressure rather than have huge variations. Bottom line is you want stable, solid numbers. And Consistency is key!

Are you NUTS!

Are you NUTS??
 

 

Nuts, including almonds, are definitely back in favor as they are a powerhouse of nutrition.  Most nuts are a good source of fiber protein and healthy fats. You will see in the chart below that all nuts are NOT created equal. My two top favorite nuts are almonds and walnuts.

 

While almonds contain a significant amount of fat, researchers have determined that the type of fat in almonds, monounsaturated fat, is known to be a good fat. Almonds can be beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL levels, preventing after meal rises in blood sugar and may help you with weight control/weight loss.  Aside from healthy fats, almonds are an excellent source of protein and contain vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant; potassium, a mineral many Americans do not consume enough of; and the trace minerals- magnesium (my favorite), manganese and copper.  There are many ways to include almonds in your diet including almond milk, almond butter, and the whole nut variety.

 

Got Seaweed?

Sea Vegetables

 

Have you ever eaten seaweed?  I’m sure all of you have, but you may not have known it.

 

Seaweed has amazing properties! Sea vegetables are one of the richest sources of minerals in the vegetable planet. J

Sea vegetables or seaweed are marine algae which are abundant all over the world.  They are among the most ancient life forms on earth.In many parts of the world, they have been harvested and eaten long before land-based agriculture occurred.

 

Many health benefits have been suggested for sea vegetables.

-They are virtually fat-free making them low in calories.

-They are also rich in minerals calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, iodine, potassium, and sodium.

 

Example: ¼ C. cooked hijiki contains greater than ½ of the calcium found in 1 C. of milk, and contains more iron than one egg. WOW!!!

-Vitamins A, thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), B12, C, and E are also found in seaweeds.  Seaweed also contains a substance (ergosterol) that converts to vitamin D in the body.

 

-They are also an excellent source of a complete vegetable protein.  Seaweed is a complete protein meaning that one does not have to combine other vegetable proteins to make it a complete protein (also with rice and beans).  This is great for a vegetarian!

 

-Other key nutrients are carotene, chlorophyll (antioxidants), enzymes, and fiber.
Other benefits are that seaweeds can help reduce cholesterol and also remove metallic and radioactive elements from the body- removal of strontium.

 

-Seaweed can also help to prevent goiter because of its iodine content.  Those with thyroid conditions may want to avoid preventing excess iodine intake. While seaweed contains some sodium due to its natural milieu (saltwater), excessive intake should be avoided by those on sodium-reduced diets.

 -A final possible benefit is that seaweed has antibiotic properties that have shown to be effective against penicillin-resistant bacteria.

 

Seaweed Salad Recipe:

 Ingredients:

• 3/4 ounce dried wakame seaweed ( whole or cut)
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar ( not seasoned)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup shredded carrot
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

• Soak seaweed in warm water to cover, 5 minutes. Drain, rinse then squeeze out excess water. If wakame is uncut, cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips.
• Stir together vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, pepper flakes, ginger, and garlic in a bowl until sugar is dissolved. Add the seaweed, scallions, carrots, and cilantro, tossing to combine well. Sprinkle salad with sesame seeds

Here is a link to favorite seaweed to snack on!!

http://www.gimmehealth.com/

ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE LOSING WEIGHT?

HAVING TROUBLE LOSING WEIGHT?

Why do so many people fail when they diet? As a practicing registered dietitian working in the field for over 12 years, I know many of my clients have tried every diet under the beautiful Tuscany sun and managed to gain all of their weight back.

From Atkins to South Beach, all the way to cleanses, juicing, and Paleo, many people continually fail at losing weight and resort to their ice cream and late night snacking routine, feeling hopeless yet again.

The common denominator to fad diets is willpower. When you try and change something so big in your life and our culture, the strength of one’s willpower can prove to be insufficient.

 Let’s talk about what you really need to change to be successful:

1) Habit formation is important to making any changes in life. Every month there is either a new weight loss book or a new fad diet that hits the streets and have trend-chasers starting yet another diet. Diets fail because they really do not change the way we view and think about food. In order to make permanent emotional and physical changes with food we need to change our habits and our thought pattern.

2) Meal plan. You need a good meal plan in order to ensure adequate vitamins, minerals, and overall nutrition so that you have adequate energy levels to sustain you. This is where I recommend going to a Dietitian/Nutritionist to guide you on your initial journey. Some RDs take insurance and others will have you pay out of pocket. Bottom line… it’s worth the investment.

3) Accountability. Get a buddy. Ask your sibling, family member, friend or spouse. Hold yourself accountable one way or another. It makes a big difference when trying to adopt new habits and lifestyle changes when you have a buddy.

4) One small change. Please, please, please. Make one small, realistic change at a time. Even if it is as simple as adding a vegetable to your breakfast routine or drinking one big glass of water before every meal. Start with one or two changes every week.

Listen to this! A study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that participants who made one small change in their food choices and/or physical activity each week (such as drinking one fewer can of soda/juice) lost more than twice as much belly fat, 2½ more inches off their waistlines, and about 4 times more weight during a 4-month program, compared with those who followed traditional calorie-restriction and physical-activity guidelines.

How about them apples…

DATE BALL RECIPE!

For those of you who asked for the recipe.. Here you go!

 

My favorite date balls!!

 

Great for road trips, quick snacks on the go, post or pre-workout snacks, and middle of the day sweet tooth satisfaction. Mmmmmmmmm…

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cup pitted dates (soaked in hot water for 15 minutes) or until soft.
• 1 cup almonds (I like mine roasted)
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• ½ cup cashews
• ½ cup peanuts
• 1 Tbs. vanilla extract (optional)
• Shredded coconut (optional)
• Sea Salt (optional)

1. Place dates in small bowl, and cover with 3/4 cup boiling water. Let stand 15 minutes. Drain.

2. Add coconut oil in with the dates and blend them up together to form a smooth consistency. If you plan to use vanilla extract, add vanilla in this step.

3. Process all nuts in food processor until finely chopped. I like to process the nuts separately into different textures and sizes. It’s nice to have different textures in your date balls. Sometimes I even process the peanuts into smooth peanut butter.

4. Don’t be scared to get your hands dirty.  Roll date mixture with the nuts into tablespoon-size balls. You can make them as dense as you want them.

5. Keep in fridge or freezer. I like the texture best when it is in the freezer.