Diet

Power Food: Tomatoes

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TomatoesTomatoes are in season, and more than that, they pack a nutritional punch! Many studies have looked at the health benefits of tomatoes, and shown that they can benefit many systems of the body. The main nutritional benefits stem from their vitamin and mineral content including, lycopene, vitamin E, vitamin C (40% of daily value), folate, beta carotene, potassium (8% of daily value), vitamin k, iron (7% of recommended daily value), vitamin A (15% of daily value)and flavonoids. These nutrients found in tomatoes and tomatoes themselves have been shown to decrease inflammation and are have a significant amount of antioxidants. The health promoting effects of tomatoes are vast and include:

  • Decreases LDL (bad cholesterol)
  • Decreases homocysteine (marker of risk of cardiovascular event)
  • Decreases platelet aggregation
  • Decreases blood pressure
  • Increases antioxidants
  • Aids with detoxification
  • Increases skin cell replacement
  • Regulates blood sugar

It is also ironic that tomatoes have a similar shape and appearance to a heart, because tomatoes are cardio-protective (protect your heart). Tomatoes can also decrease the risk of harm to other organ systems such as those listed below. Decreases risk of:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Cancer
    • Cervical
    • Lung
    • Prostate
    • Breast
    • Stomach
    • Colorectal
    • Esophageal
    • Pancreatic
    • Oral
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Cell damage
  • Ultraviolet skin damage
  • Cognitive decline

Because of all of the beneficial properties of tomatoes, they may show benefit for the following conditions or states:

  • Atherosclerosis
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Cancer
  • Increased homocysteine levels
  • Detoxification
  • Osteoporosis
  • Dialysis
    • Increases energy and helps with rejuvenating the health of patients on dialysis
  • Post – workout
  • Sunburns
  • Migraines
  • Immune system insufficiency
  • Acidosis
  • Lead toxicity
  • Can help older people stay active for longer
  • Macular degeneration

Special considerations about tomatoes involve how they are processed. When tomatoes are cooked, it increases the bioavailability of the antioxidants. In other words, cooking tomatoes increases the nutritional impact. In addition, when tomatoes are consume with olive oil, it helps to increase the absorption lycopene.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Elisha Cook via the contact portion of this website.

Sources:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408690390826437#.VdNASMvbLmI

http://www.phytojournal.com/vol1Issue1/Issue_may_2012/3.pdf

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0115589

PB & J Oatmeal in a Cup

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This recipe was adapted from some ideas that my mother – in – law and sister – in – law gave me . . . and I ran with it! This recipe is great for those of you on the go, and needing a breakfast that has protein and complex carbs in it! The recipe does need to be prepared the night before so please keep that in mind, otherwise, enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp peanut butter/almond butter (or other nut butters)
  • 1 tbsp mom’s (or dad’s) homemade jam
  • 1 cup of mixed berries (I like to use raspberries and blueberries)
  • 1/2 cup of steel cut oats
  • 1/2-1 cup of almond milk
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

  1. Cover 1/2 cup of oats with water and let soak for approximately 30 minutes.
  2. After 30 minutes, drain the oats and put in a travel container or container with lid (I usually use a magic bullet cup).
  3. Add enough almond milk to the cup until the oats are just covered.
  4. Add in the remainder of your ingredients to the cup and cover. Let sit in refrigerator over-night until next morning.
  5. In the morning, simple mix the contents of the cup and enjoy!

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Elisha Cook via the contact portion of this website.

 

 

6 Ways to Treat Acne at Home

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Unshaven Middle aged man reading a prescription label in front oAcne has been a nemesis that many have battled for years. It can show up at the most inopportune times, such as before prom, before your wedding, before that family photo shoot, or even before a first date. It is my hope that this blog will provide you with some at home therapies or treatments to help you fight acne and win.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has many good medicinal properties to it that make it beneficial for acne. It can help fight infections and reduce inflammation that might be caused from the pimple. You can apply it with a Q – tip to the areas of acne. Myself, as well as others, have found that it helps to decrease the size, colour, and soreness of the pimple.

Changing Your Pillow Case

Changing your pillow case is an important habit to get into. By changing your pillow case more frequently your skin will be less likely to be exposed to dead skin, grime, etc. I tend to recommend changing your pillow case as often as possible – i.e. every day if possible. This can be unrealistic for some, and so changing it at least once per week is better than not changing it until a month goes by.

Green Tea Bag

Not only is Green Tea healthy for you internally, but it can also be useful externally as well. A green tea bag that has had time to soak in hot water AND cool down (so that it can be applied to the skin without burning), can be applied to the area of acne and help to decrease inflammation, prevent infection, and soothe the area from pain.

Green Tea Face Wash

Using a tea bag may be inconvenient and too messy for some. Alternatively, you can make a green tea face wash. This involves letting your green tea bag soak in hot water and letting the water cool down until you could comfortably apply the water to your skin. Once the water is cool enough, you can wash your face with this water, and then rinse off with your standard tap water. Doing the face wash has the benefit of being able to be applied to more areas of your face, however, may take longer to have effect over the green tea bag being applied to smaller areas.

Exercise

Acne can be caused from our body sweating and blocking pores. Therefore, by giving your body more opportunities to detoxify, such as through regular exercise, it may decrease the amount of acne flare-ups you have.

Drink More Water

Water can be beneficial for so many different things, including acne. I have found that when I am making sure to provide my body with the necessary water that it needs, acne tends to subside. This could be due to the detoxifying nature of water or the cleansing effect that water can have on your blood. Either way, it doesn’t hurt to drink water and try and achieve water consumption levels that are appropriate for you.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, please contact Elisha Cook (on the contact portion of this website) for more information.

Chocolate Chickpea Cupcakes

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This recipe was created by Janice Chan, and was originally gluten and grain free only. I made several modifications, and now it is both gluten and dairy – free. These cupcakes are very moist and are a great alternative to the gluten and dairy loaded cupcakes. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 1 Can of Chickpeas
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
  • ¾ – 1 ½ Cup of Sugar
  • 1 ½ Teaspoon baking powder
  • 5 Tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2-3 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin pan for 15-16 cupcakes.
  2. Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
  3. Combine the chickpeas, eggs and vanilla extract in a food processor until smooth.
  4. Add 3/4 cup of sugar and baking powder, and pulse to blend.
  5. Place the coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl. Heat until all the oil is melted, pausing to stir every 20 seconds. Add the cocoa powder to the melted oil and combine well.
  6. Add the melted coconut oil and chocolate mixture into the food processor, and blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides with a spatula to make sure all the chocolate is completely mixed with the chickpeas. You may need to add more sugar at this point to make the mixture slightly sweeter depending on your preference (approximately 1/4 cup to 3/4 cup).
  7. Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them almost to the top.
  8. Bake for 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cupcake comes out clean.
  9. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, please contact Elisha Cook for more information.