Category: Food

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Ultimate Anti-Aging Foods for Preventing Alzheimer’s, Wrinkles and Cataracts

Many natural foods are proven to help prevent heart disease and support diabetes. Are these healthy ingredients the real answer to fighting aging, too? Many scientists say yes.

The Best Anti-Aging Diets

Doctors around the world have told people to eat plenty of veggies and fruit for decades. Now, they’re going a step further and specifically recommending two diets for preventing aging: the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet.

The Mediterranean Diet

An all-around powerhouse for health, the Mediterranean diet supports weight loss, heart health, pain relief and mood benefits. It revolves around home cooking with nutritious ingredients:

  • Healthy fats
  • Lean proteins
  • Whole grains
  • Seasonal vegetables
  • Fresh fruits
  • Wine in moderation

Extra-virgin olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids from fish play a big part.

The MIND Diet

MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. This diet combines elements of Mediterranean eating with other foods that help lower blood pressure:

  • Lots of leafy greens (romaine lettuce, cabbage, kale, sprouts, spinach, etc.)
  • Plenty of whole grains every day
  • Vegetables daily
  • Fresh berries each week
  • Fish and poultry
  • Nuts and beans

Real Science, Real Benefits

These two diets are backed by a large number of studies. In one study, the MIND diet significantly lowered the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related mental decline. The Mediterranean diet appears to keep the brain healthy and prevent dementia.

Scientists aren’t completely sure how these foods help, mainly because they still don’t understand exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease. Healthy fats such as omega-3s are amazing for fighting inflammation and stress, so maybe that’s what helps the brain stay in excellent shape.

Tasty Ingredients That Fight Aging

When you write down your grocery list, make space for foods that are rich in antioxidants. You also need good sources of protein and nutrients that help your body repair itself. Here are some of the top natural ingredients for avoiding wrinkles, cataracts, depression and dementia.

Salmon

A recent study found that eating fish regularly was the most important factor for long-term brain health. Fish is high in omega-3s, lean protein and antioxidants. Other types of seafood are great, too, including shrimp, clams, tuna, tilapia, trout and Atlantic mackerel.

Berries

Foods with vitamin C can help with overall skin brightness, elasticity, moisturizing and repair. Those things are a recipe for preventing wrinkles. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are high in vitamin C and several other age-defying antioxidants.

Chicken Breast

Lean protein replenishes your body’s reserves of collagen, an essential building block of smooth skin and healthy joints. Collagen can also contribute to less joint pain and muscle stiffness.

Dark Green Vegetables

Broccoli and spinach aren’t everyone’s favorite veggies, but you’ll love what they do for your eyes. Rich in an antioxidant called lutein, leafy greens can prevent cataracts, reduce glare and improve vision. They also have vitamin B2 and vitamin E for better nerve health.

These natural ingredients help to protect your cells from the damaging effects of pollution, UV rays, anxiety and other causes of premature aging. Other favorites include green tea, turmeric and probiotic foods such as cottage cheese.

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The Most Underrated Fruits for Summer

I don’t know about you, but I could snack solely on fruits all summer and be happy about it. I typically stick to the traditional fruit selections like bananas, strawberries and watermelon. But this year, I’ve decided to branch out and expand my fruit selections. I highly encourage you to do the same! Here are some of the most underrated fruits for summer that I think you should try.

Mangosteen

You’ve probably enjoyed mangoes before, but what about mangosteen? This unusually-shaped fruit resembles a flower on the inside, while on the outside looks a bit like a huge grape. Mangosteen is commonly used in supplements because it is tasty and has a high antioxidant content. In addition, the flesh of the fruit is delectably sweet and quite juicy.

The problem with mangosteen is that it’s challenging to find. It’s also relatively expensive. I can get it at my local grocery store every so often, though I’ve had more luck finding it at local health food stores.

Rambutan Fruit

I see rambutan fruit in my grocery store occasionally, but I never purchased it until recently because it doesn’t look appealing. The outside looks like it is covered with some sort of spiky hair. But don’t let the unsightly exterior fool you. The inside is sweet and a little sour (similar to a grape). It’s also very tender and full of antioxidants and vitamin C.

Kumquat

You’re more likely to find kumquat in your local grocery store this summer than some other exotic fruits mentioned here. Though the name sounds silly, the fruit is quite delicious. The nutritional profile of kumquat is similar to that of oranges.

Kumquats are small and oval-shaped. Yet, they are chock-full of many nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Even the peels are edible and hold much of the nutrients and dietary fibers these cute little fruits have to offer.

Cantaloupe

Watermelon is a favorite summertime treat, and it’s easy to see why. It is sweet, juicy and so refreshing to eat in the summertime heat. But one of my new favorite summertime fruits is cantaloupe. It is also a very juicy and refreshing fruit (which is unsurprising, considering it’s almost 90% water!) They also have a mild, slightly sweet taste that is deliciously appealing.

But besides their great taste, cantaloupes are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties. They contain choline and other anti-inflammatory phytonutrients that can help you feel your best all summer long. The nutrients in cantaloupes can also boost eye health and may decrease asthma symptoms.

Jackfruit

Have you ever seen those huge, spiky greenish-yellow fruits at the store and wondered how in the world you could even get at the fruit inside? Well, guess what? I decided to try jackfruit this year, and I was fairly impressed. This fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in existence. Produced in Bangladesh, this fruit is bursting with immune-boosting nutrients such as vitamin A, lutein, beta-carotene and zeaxanthin.

If you’re up to the task of cutting through one of these huge fruits, your reward will be a huge chunk of fruit that will last you quite a while. When it’s ripe, jackfruit tastes a little like a banana mixed with pineapple. But don’t let it get too ripe, or it smells terrible.

Many people put jackfruit in curries and other similar dishes because it tends to take on the flavor of whatever it is added to. It’s a fairly mild fruit that maintains its texture well when cooked.

Try a New Fruit This Summer!

There you have it—some of the most underrated fruits to enjoy this summer. So pick up one or two the next time you see them at the grocery store and benefit from the many nutrients these delicious fruits can provide.

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The Chaos of Chain Restaurants: A Profit-Making Machine

Before the reign of Applebees and other fast-casual restaurant chains, eating out was an experience. People didn't spend their hard-earned cash on meals they could make at home. Instead, eating out was a reward where you treated yourself to locally sourced and unique meals full of flavor.

Unfortunately, the modern era demands more of people's time and focus. The traditional ways of cooking at home or enjoying a meal surrounded by family are rare. Now, technology crowds the tables, and countless cat videos echo through crowded lobbies where voices and interesting conversations used to take root.

While chain restaurants are not the only problem, they do contribute to a growing sense of money, abundance, and speed over quality. Additionally, chain restaurants can dilute the entrepreneurial spirit. The next time you want to take your family out for an enjoyable meal, consider avoiding chain restaurants and supporting local small businesses.

Chain Restaurants Do Not Offer Unique Experiences

Chain restaurants do not offer unique experiences; they are built on the premise of scalability. Therefore, regardless of where you are in the country or the world, every restaurant has the same menu. Unfortunately, the menus are rarely creative or unique to a particular establishment. Many fast-casual chains offer the same or similar menu items as competitors.

Additionally, chain restaurants are expensive for what they offer. Many chains provide ridiculous proportions to take away from the sticker shock, contributing to food waste.

Unfortunately, because of the popularity of chain restaurants and the risks associated with investing in unproven restaurant models, investors will continue to push chains and increase brand reach. The only way investors will take another approach is when the risks outweigh the rewards. Therefore, it is up to consumers to motivate a change in the model by focusing their purchasing power on smaller local establishments.

Many Local Restaurants Depend on Local Resources

While not always true, many local restaurants providing unique local experiences favor locally sourced produce and products. Supporting local farms and businesses is not only good for the community but is also good for the environment.

Chain restaurants focused on a specific brand flavor profile typically stick to centralized production, shipping produce and products nationally and internationally. The logistics of chain operations contribute to environmental problems. Additionally, depending on the distance from transportation hubs, consumers might not receive the freshest ingredients. Finally, logistics plays a role in consumer costs, meaning you pay more for your meal.

Locally sourced goods and produce help contain costs and environmental impact. Additionally, a local or independent restaurant offers more unique flavors in potentially diverse environments.

Chain Restaurants Are Not More Social

Despite the advertisements promising good times and good eats, chain restaurants rarely deliver on both. Chains are all about profits, meaning the more people they can pack into a building, the better. Noise is often too great for any real conversation, and the idea of intimate or private discussions is near impossible.

Small restaurants cater to both the palette and the experience. An intimate romantic restaurant will often have less seating, lighter meals, and a quieter atmosphere. A local family restaurant will have larger tables, and more significant portions, with a fun and bright environment.

Chain restaurants are not inherently bad. In some situations, a chain offers exactly what you want. Still, most people favor local restaurants and flavors over heavily branded bland foods. When you want to reconnect or socialize, a local establishment is best.

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5 Time-Saving Kitchen Tools for Cooking From Scratch (Like a Pro!)

Who has time to peel and cook fresh ingredients? Actually, modern technology has made it easier than ever to make breakfast, lunch and dinner quickly. Here are my favorite tools for cooking like a pro. Who has time to peel and cook fresh ingredients?

1. Food Processor

If we’re talking about kitchen tools that save time on food prep, a food processor tops the charts. This little beauty makes short work of every task imaginable. Plus, the list of things you can make is endless. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Fresh basil pesto
  • Homemade broccoli cheddar soup
  • Roasted tomato soup
  • Nut and coconut lemon bars
  • Low-fat pizza dough
  • Garlic mashed potatoes
  • Secret spaghetti sauce (it has green olives)
  • Real almond butter

Slicing, dicing, grinding, blending, mixing, shredding — you name it — food processors do it all in literally seconds. This is especially great if you have any kind of pain in your hands or wrists since you don’t need to worry about wielding a heavy knife.

2. Immersion Blender

Not feeling in the mood to find and assemble your countertop blender for one smoothie and then have to wash the whole contraption? No problem. Get an immersion blender instead. This lightweight, portable and simple hand-held device takes care of blending easily. Even better, it completely replaces whisking, whipping, mixing and mashing by hand.

To make a great smoothie, put the ingredients in a jar and blend away. An immersion blender can handle bananas, kale, mangoes, blueberries, ginger, yogurt, granola and other tasty mixes for a perfect morning start. Cleaning up is a breeze afterwards compared to a conventional (and heavy) upright blender.

3. Pressure Cooker

Cook beans from scratch in under an hour, wild rice in 20 minutes and a pork roast in 45 minutes? Yes, please. A pressure cooker speeds up cooking times amazingly. Also, when you cook ingredients under pressure, they become moist, super tender and incredibly flavorful.

Does the idea of owning a pressure cooker make you nervous? Modern versions are made with tons of safety features (automatic pressure control, temperature sensors, etc.) so there’s nothing to worry about.

4. Dutch Oven

The beauty of Dutch ovens is preparing a meal and letting it cook by itself for hours. These large enameled multi-cookers are amazing for one-pot recipes:

  • Chicken and rice
  • Casserole
  • Chili
  • Lasagna
  • Au gratin potatoes
  • Spanish paella
  • Chicken curry

My favorite way to use them is for beef roasts. There’s nothing as delicious as melt-in-your-mouth meat with a little oven char. All I do is sear the roast, toss in veggies and red wine, and let everything cook low and slow. Then I go to read a book or do some exercises while the heavenly smells fill up the kitchen. Perfect for Sunday dinners with the kids.

5. Cast Iron Skillet

If you can look past the increased weight, a trusty cast iron skillet may soon become your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s so versatile and simple. One minute you’re browning food on the stove top (using practically no oil) and the next your meal is cooking happily in the oven. I don’t care what anyone says, nothing is as good as homemade corn bread or deep-dish pizza baked in a cast iron skillet.

With these must-have kitchen tools, you can cook any meal in a flash. At the same time, you get tons of healthy nutrients and flavor while cutting salt and fat.