It is said "all diseases begin in the gut," which is why gut health is so important. You see, we all have microbes in our intestines: Trillions of them, to be exact. These microbes metabolize food and make vitamins accessible to us. In other words, they’re essential to our health and immunity. They actually add up to 4 pounds of our body weight and help us fight off “bad” microbes (like the infamous E.coli or tetanus).
Although mostly unrecognized as a “sport” until recently, snow sports such as snowboarding and skiing provide many benefits—both physical and mental. For some, snow sports are a great way to spend time with friends and enjoy a day out on the slopes.
Do you remember taking those little fruity Flintstones multivitamins? Well, as a child, I ate them because they were pretty darn close to being plain ol’ candy. Now, as an adult, I don’t have to buy any daily vitamins because I’m already buying foods that are great sources of necessary vitamins and minerals. Plus, the best part about adulting is that it gives you the freedom to buy actual candy, if candy is what you crave (don’t we all from time to time?).
When I lived in Germany, we subscribed to a biweekly delivery of produce from a local farm. It encouraged us to try new produce that we honestly never would have tried otherwise – especially in a foreign country! From the rare (and new to me): Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes), black salsify, and kohlrabi; to lots and lots and lots of cabbage, carrots, and dill, it’s one of my favorite memories of my time in that country.
Ginseng was discovered more than 5000 years ago in the mountains of Manchuria, China. The name is derived from the Chinese word “jen” meaning the form of man and “shen” defined as the crystallization of the essence of the earth. However, this ancient herb was used approximately the same time in North America by many of the tribes there, though the European invaders did not know of its existence until the 16th century.
As a gluten-free vegan, let’s just say eating out can pose quite the challenge. So, in order to spare restaurant employees from all of my chaotic food questions, I’ve learned to love (and actually prefer) cooking meals at home. Preparing your own meals is a superb way to fine-tune your cooking skills, save money, and eat properly sized, more nutritious portions, while consuming less calories, sodium, fat, and sugar.
Superfoods will always be a thing: That's because they're loaded with important nutrients humans need to flourish, such as fiber and vitamins. These nutrients can lead to overall better health and even fight diseases.
You might think of mochi as the neon-green or fluorescent pink-colored ice cream treat popular at Japanese restaurants, but mochi is a traditional Japanese food that has been eaten for hundreds of years. While once considered a "Food for the Gods," mochi remains a talisman of prosperity and luck in Japanese culture–especially during New Year's celebrations. While sweet mochi is delicious as a treat, the more traditional brown rice or glutinous rice mochi makes a satisfying and healthy snack. Here's why:
I’m not a parent, but, as someone who was a “kid” not too long ago, I know a thing or two about kids’ eating habits. As an adult, I’d like to think that I lead a generally healthy lifestyle. However, while growing up, I was all too familiar with just about any junk food you can think of. Luckily, I’ve been able to break most of my bad eating habits from childhood, but, unfortunately, poor eating habits while young tend to turn into poor eating habits for life.
Brown rice is believed to have first been cultivated in China about 9000 years ago. Arab travelers brought the grain to the Middle East and subsequently rice traveled throughout the world. The whole grain is known as brown rice – it contains the inner grain, the hull and the germ. Together, they are a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and proteins.