…keeps the doctor away.  Funny how that old saying still rings true.   As I plan my next cooking class, the main ingredient being apples, I was thinking about all the ways to eat and prepare an apple.  My most favorite way to eat an apple is to simply pick it from the tree, wash it and enjoy.

When eating an apple, like all plant foods, you do not need to worry about fat content, cholesterol, or sodium.  An apple contains fiber called pectin and  phytonutrients called flavonoids.  Flavonoids are defensive phytochemicals found in apples, along with other fruits and vegetables. There are a number of different types of flavonoids with each having a protective health effect. Over 4,000 flavonoids have been documented to have antiviral, antiallergic, antiinflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant activities. The term flavonoids represents all of the following subclasses: Anthocyanins, Flavanols, Flavanones, Flavonols, Flavones, and Isoflavones.

Another benefit of eating an apple is that it is a nutrient dense food, a.k.a. real food.  So as you eat it your body will naturally feel full and satisfied as the many nutrients synergistically work together to meet the nutritional needs of your body.

For those of you who  live in NJ and want to know what varieties are native to our state, check out  New Jersey State’s Department of Agricultural website.

So don’t delay, grab that apple, enjoy and be healthy!!

Wondering what are the seasonal fall fruits and vegetables?  Just stop by your local farmers market.  The end of summer and early fall produce is abundant.  Here is a list for you to check out on your next visit to your farmer’s market.

Fruits & Berries:  Apples, Grapes, Pears, Fall Raspberries

Vegetables & Herbs:  Arugula, Basil, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Collards, Eggplant, Endive,Escarole, Fall Lettuce,Kale, Lima Beans, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Rutabagas, Scallions, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes.

Enjoy and Be Well,

Karen

Genetically Modified Salmon.  You need to scream now!!  As an educated consumer it is critical to know what you are eating and putting into your body.  Man made food, just does not have what it takes for human nutrition and good health.   Adding hormones to make the fish grow at twice the rate will have an effect on our bodies, but not the desired effect.  The hormones will be passed on to our bodies and our body will grow faster too.    We have already seen a similar pattern from growth hormones added to meat and dairy. Avoiding meat and dairy products with growth hormones and antibiotic is a daily activity. Why do we need to complicate our food choices that much more.  Another, once healthy fish, to now question if it has been genetically modified.    Mother nature really does knows best!!

I discovered GNLD products over 10 years ago and have been using them every day.  When I was first introduced to the products, I was really inspired and wanted to try all of them. What inspired me today was reading an article in the New York Times.   If you did not see this recent opt ed column in the NYTimes on May 4th http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/opinion/06kristof.html?scp=3&sq=health%20%20cancer%20chemicals&st=cse, take a minute and read it.

The basic discussion is on how the 80,000+ chemicals used in our environment today and how their toxicity is affecting our health, specifically the increased rate of cancer that we as a society are experiencing.  Yes, our toxic environment is setting us up for trouble.

Are we once again just waking up to the idea to the fact that 80% of cancer is cause by our toxic environment?

Back in the early 70′s Dr. Arthur Furst, distinguished professor at Stanford University and world renowned toxicologist,  concluded his research and reported that cancer was not caused by a virus or bacteria, but the result of increasing environmental contamination. In fact he stated that 80% of cancers are environmentally related.   His ideas at this time were not received well and were called “preposterous” by the U.S. Government.  

So I make this connection here today, in order to urge each and every human to continue to open our eyes and recognize how important our environment is to maintaining good health.   As the New York Times article mentions, our focus should be redirected to prevention.  I continue to be a strong advocate of prevention,  and being very particular about the kinds of food you choose to fuel your body.  It is really important to long term health and the prevention of chronic disease.   What I found particularly disturbing is that babies are being born with chemicals already in there system.  They are born with a health disadvantage that can be avoided!  And this idea that our environment is toxic, is not new!!

Two great GNLD products, developed by Dr. Arthur Furst,  are listed below.

In his search for a cancer treatment, Dr. Furst is responsible for the development of oral chemotherapy – one of the most successful  medical treatments for cancer.  Dissatisfied with the side effects of this traumatic medical solution , Dr. Furst spent many years working on cancer prevention through natural antioxidants such ast GNLD’s breakthrough products: Betagard http://ww1.gnld.com/pages/BusinessGuide_CD1005/GNLDBusTools_WEB/content/pdf/products/nutritionals/betagard.pdf and

Carotenoid Complex http://www.gnld.com/pages/BusinessGuide_cd1005/GNLDBusTools_WEB/content/pdf/products/vitamins/CarotenoidComplex.pdf .

For more information on how you can use these products to keep you as healthy as can be, contact me at karen@behealthyascanbe.com

Dedicated to Improving Your Health Through Good Nutrtion!!

Today, I had the honor and pleasure to be a guest on Dr. Ali’s radio show Science, Health and Healing. Dr. Ali’s program can be heard every Monday and Tuesday, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm on WBAI – 99.5 FM. It is my first appearance and I hope to return as a guest in the future.  Here is the link for you to listen in! http://archive.wbai.org/files/mp3/100323_120001shhealing.MP3

I am very excited about today’s show.  I have been on a personal health journey which started for me 16 years ago!! Wow, it is hard to believe it is that long ago, but more importantly I am in excellent health.  My efforts have paid off, so to speak.  Working with Dr. Ali has verified my efforts and my journey.  It feels really great.

My heartfelt wish is for everyone to be able to achieve optimal health in there lifetime.  It is possible. I started in my late 30′s.  I have much to share with anyone who is interested in great health.  The good news is that the body is resilient and no matter what age you are starting from you too can have excellent health.  Again, I invite you to listen to my interview and feel free to contact me and start on your personal health journey today.  All you have to do is take that first step.

Listen In!

Enjoy and Be Well,

Wow, my first real cardio workout in over a year!!  How is that possible, you say.  Well, I finally got myself a heart rate monitor.  Nothing fancy, just a simple one that tells me what my heart rate is.  When I opened the package inside was a book that talked about how to figure out your maximum heart rate and how to workout at a percentage of that maximum to achieve your personal fitness goals, which range from having a healthy heart to running a marathon.  It is not about quantity it is about quality of the exercise you do!  What I personally discovered is that what I thought was giving me a cardio workout was really not!!

So, today I did my first cardio workout, in my personal range,  70-80% of my maximum heat rate.  You too can get a heart rate monitor, put it on and have fun with your favorite cardio workout!!  Get that heart pumping and see how great you feel!!  You’ll sleep better, have more energy, circulate fresh blood throughout your body, minimize sore muscles from your activities!!

To learn more about your heart rate and how to get fit, take a look at this website www.heartzones.com. It came with my heart rate monitor!!

Enjoy and Keep that heart healthy!!

The sun is shining and the temperature is a crisp 31 degrees fahrenheit!  I wanted to wish every one a happy and healthy 2010!  Today, I joined the Morris County Chamber meeting.  It was full of new faces for me and lots of energy.  The speaker for the morning began with an exercise.  Feel free to do this as you read along.  Close your eyes, sit with them closed for 3 minutes and notice what happens?  Phew, did you hear your voice, your mind, the constant chatter. As the speaker shared, your mind is constantly going!!  Next he handed out a card to have every member, write down your goals for the new year, as if you had already accomplished them.  Begin with ” I am so happy and grateful now that…  You fill in the rest.  For me it is Join a new networking group(s) to reach more people, write my blog/newsletter, develop a class on nutrition for middle school students.

My wish for your fill in the blank is “I am so happy and grateful that I am as healthy as can be and take GNLD Formula IV+ multi vitamin with Tre-en-en each day.  You will discover a huge difference in your health as you bridge the gap between the food you eat and the nutrition your body needs daily!!  You can order right from my website and have it shipped to your door step!  It is that easy.  Join me in having a happy and healthy GNLD year!!  Check out my website at www.behealthyascanbe.com

Be Well and Enjoy.