Achieving a Better Health With Carb-Rich Diet

Miami Integrative Medicine introduces the concept of eating what most people avoid like carbs. Look at this infographic and learn what MIM is trying to point out.

Ways to Win a Holistic Health

If you are looking for ways to get a holistic health, then you should check this image out. Get a balance between physical workouts; reading some good books; arts to express your emotions; mingle with people; and cherish the beauty of our world. Be with Miami Integrative Medicine to promote holistic health.

Must - Eat – Vegetables for Wellness: Part 5

Wellness is defined as the condition or state of having good physical and mental health, especially as the result of deliberate effort that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life by proper diet, exercise and maintaining good health habits, as opposed to treating diseases.

When I was growing up, my grand mom and mother used to say “Eat your veggies, it will keep you strong and safe” or they’d say “Eat your salad, you won’t turn into a rabbit instead you will be as strong and as fast as a horse”. To be honest, I grew up liking vegetables due to repetition, being a writer-researcher has opened my eyes to the miracles of plants, vegetables and fruits. 

Total wellness has now become a popular topic for people around the world. Social media has made it possible for people to read health tips from their mobile devices or chancing about their friends’ latest fruit “Like” and more. People have the power to “share” the things they like or articles they think would help other people stay healthy and glow with beauty. Below is my personal list of veggies our fridge often has an abundance of; I recommend you do the same and you will feel light and healthier even more.

6. Eggplant

Also called Mad Apple, defined as an egg-shaped glossy black-purple fruit which has white meaty textured flesh, the Eggplant or Solanum melongena is a delicate tropical perennial with a spiny stem that has tall, large, coarsely lobed leaves and white to purple flowers that later produce the fruit-veggie we all love to eat. Name was said to come from French aubergine, from Catalan albergínia, from Arabic الباذِنْجان(al-baðinjān), the eggplant, from Persian بادنگان (bâdengân), from باتنگان(bâtengân), from Sanskrit वातिगगम (vātiga-gama, “eggplant”),this purple-black veggie-fruit is famous all over the world.The plant is native to the Indian Subcontinent and has been cultivated in Southeast Asia since prehistory. The eggplant was first recorded in the Qímínyàoshù, an ancient Chinese agricultural treatise completed in 544. Called as “aubergine” in British English, the aubergine was first recorded in England in the 16th century as a plant that growth in Egypt almost everywhere.

For thousands of years different cultures have cultivated the eggplant and our ancestors must have had a very good reason why.A research study done by the US Agricultural Services in Beltsville, Maryland have published that eggplants are rich sources of phenolic compounds that function as antioxidants.Also other scientific studies show that this purple necessity contains important phytonutrients which have promoteantioxidant activity. Phenolic compound such as caffeic, chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids, such as nasunin are examples of Phytonutrients contained in this purple-black aubegine veggie. Nasunin is said to act as a brain-food and is shown to protect cell membranes from damage.

Good for the bone-building for it contains vitamin K and magnesium. Egg plants are high in heart-healthy nutrients such as vitamin B6, folate, copper and niacin. Eggplant is an excellent source of dietary fiber and heart-healthy potassium plus bone-building manganese. Researchers believe this may reduce risk of dementia and stroke. So say yes to aubergine and do not forget to place a load of this wellness veggie in your cart the next time you do your groceries. Make some Eggplant Parmesan, Pork Sinigang, Ratatouille or Greek Moussaka. The more the merrier!

Must – Eat - Vegetables for Wellness: Part 4

Wellness is defined as the condition or state of having good physical and mental health, especially as the result of deliberate effort that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life by proper diet, exercise and maintaining good health habits, as opposed to treating diseases.

When I was growing up, my grand mom and mother used to say “Eat your veggies, it will keep you strong and safe” or they’d say “Eat your salad, you won’t turn into a rabbit instead you will be as strong and as fast as a horse”. To be honest, I grew up liking vegetables due to repetition, being a writer-researcher has opened my eyes to the miracles of plants, vegetables and fruits. 

Wellness has now become a popular topic for people around the world. Social media has made it possible for people to read health tips from their mobile devices or chancing about their friends’ latest fruit “Like” and more. People have the power to “share” the things they like or articles they think would help other people stay healthy and glow with beauty. Below is my personal list of veggies our fridge often has an abundance of; I recommend you do the same and you will feel light and healthier even more.

5. Sweet potato

My research on this veggie necessity brought me to various cultures, countries and ways it can be cooked and consumed. Wow! I did not know there were so many ways you could cook this large, sweet-tasting, starchy tuberous root vegetable. Even the more reason, you should have a staple supply of this wellness must eat vegetable in your pantry for personal consumption. Also the sweet potato is a source of vitamin B6, vitamin B1, phosphorus and potassium; known to be an energy food used in cooking all over the world.

From Africa’s “amukeke” (sun-dried slices of root) eaten with peanut sauce to Egypt’s "batata" where this sweet potato tubers are known to be baked as a snack or dessert, served with honey to Korea’s “Goguma”, to Japan’s “yaki-imo” (roasted sweet potato) and “imo-jōchū” a Japanese Potato wine, to India’s Sweet potato – “shakarkand, शक्करकंद” roasted slowly over kitchen coal and eaten with yogurt dressing. Sweet potato contains calcium, sugars and carbohydrates which makes it filling to the tummy.

Different cultures from different continents have acknowledged the importance of this root vegetable.  Radio carbon dating revealed the presence of this tuber in the Cook Islands dating back to 1000 AD. Researchers postulated that it was brought to central Polynesia around 700 AD, it was Polynesians who brought this tuber when they traveled to South America. The first record of the name “sweet potato” is found in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1775. In Chile, Mexico, Central America, and the Philippines, this is known as camote or kamote. In Argentina, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, it is called batata. Boniato is another name for it in Spain and Uruguay. In Peru, it is kumar, while in New Zealand it is called kumara.

The root vegetable is a great source of iron and fiber that can help regulate the digestive system.This vegetable tuber is found in different varieties all over the world has anti-cancer properties like vitamin C, A and manganese. No wonder everyone is going gaga over this root tuber veggie necessity. Try it today!

Must – Eat – Vegetables for Wellness: Part 3

Wellness is defined as the condition or state of having good physical and mental health, especially as the result of deliberate effort that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life by proper diet, exercise and maintaining good health habits, as opposed to treating diseases.

When I was growing up, my grand mom and mother used to say “Eat your veggies, it will keep you strong and safe” or they’d say “Eat your salad, you won’t turn into a rabbit instead you will be as strong and as fast as a horse”. To be honest, I grew up liking vegetables due to repetition, being a writer-researcher has opened my eyes to the miracles of plants, vegetables and fruits. 

Total wellness has now become a popular topic for people around the world. Social media has made it possible for people to read health tips from their mobile devices or chancing about their friends’ latest fruit “Like” and more. People have the power to “share” the things they like or articles they think would help other people stay healthy and glow with beauty. Below is my personal list of veggies our fridge often has an abundance of; I recommend you do the same and you will feel light and healthier even more.

3. Carrots

This horn-like shaped root vegetable is also called Daucus carota in Science or καρότον karōton in Greek. Carrot seeds have been found in Switzerland and Southern Germany dating to 2000–3000 BC. Back in the days, it was cultivated for its aromatic leaves and seeds, not their root. The carrot gets its characteristic and bright orange colour from β-carotene, and lesser amounts of α-carotene and γ-carotene. Glad to inform you that this veggie is the richest source of some antioxidant, like Vitamin A and Vitamin C – all perfect for your total wellness. Not only is it loaded with nutrients that are good for your eyes, hair and skin, this orange colored necessity helps reduce the risk of cancer and protects your cardiovascular system from damage. So now you can indulge in eating your low calorie carrot cake after dinner, enjoy your carrot nibbler as you watch TV, eat your Chopsuey for breakfast and feast on salads during lunch. With this orange colored miracle worker, you will never go wrong.

4. Squash

Archaeologists suggest that this plant has been cultivated first in Mesoamerica dating back to about 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. Rich in fiber, potassium and magnesium, the squash is also a viable source of anti-inflammatory nutrients.Consumption can help remedy a lot of health conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.Bees played a big role in the pollination and cultivation of the squash plant in the olden days.Squash was said to be historically proven to have been pollinated by the native North American squash bee, Peponapis pruinosa. Due to the decline of bee population, gardeners resorted to hand pollination. Squash was derived from the word askuta

squash (a green thing eaten raw). Botanically speaking the squash is a fruit though, like the tomato, it is considered to be a vegetable in cooking. This yellow necessity can be served in salads, made into a soup-base and cooked stuffed with meat, fried and baked into pastry. Take note that this yellow-orange fruit-veggie has lots of wonders, for not only can the fruit be eaten but also its seeds. The leaves, shoots and squash tendrils can also be eaten as greens. The blossoms are used in many other parts of the world but are recorded to have played an important part in Native American cooking. To this very day, we enjoy the same privileges of our ancestors; this golden veggie contains Vitamin C and beta-carotene which reduces the risk of breast cancer. Today health enthusiasts have come up with squash flavored cakes and pastries, catering to the health conscious crowd, for a yummy tandem with your favorite afternoon coffee or tea time.

3 Alternative Treatments for Arrhythmia You Can Use

Arrhythmia is a disease of the heart characterized by too fast, too slow, or irregular beating of the heart. Sometimes, this condition might not be serious but in some instances, it could be deadly. Treating the disease could be difficult and conventional remedies could be expensive.  If you have not felt any symptoms of this disease, the best thing that you could do is to prevent it using alternative treatments.

Here are three natural remedies for this disease:

1. Acupuncture. While there are many conventional drugs that are prescribed for people with the condition, combining it with alternative therapy could give better results. The irregular beating of the heart is caused by the improper coordination of the electrical impulses that make the heart beat. Once these impulses are not coordinated well, the heart may beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Acupuncture is known to penetrate some pressure points in the body.   For acupuncturists, arrhythmia results from either too high or too low levels of energy in the heart. An irregular heartbeat would mean unstable supply of energy to the heart. By inserting needles into some pressure points, blockages are removed, ensuring the regular supply of energy into the cardiovascular system. This will lead to the heart beating properly.

2. Herbs and Supplements

There are various herbs that could be used to help promote regular beating of the heart and get rid of arrhythmia.  Although many of these are not yet scientifically proven, users attested to their effectiveness.  Hawthorn is known to calm the heart and stop palpitations or fast heartbeat.  Be sure that the leaves and flowers are included in what you take, not the berries. Tincture of passionflower is also effective in keeping under control the fast beating of the heart. Kava kava, another herb, also has the same effect. Magnesium is also known to help remedy arrhythmia.  Lack of magnesium could result to a fluttery heart. Taking the right dosage of this element as advised by your doctor will be of help.

3. Leading healthy lifestyle

Exercise and eating nutritious foods assure you of total wellness. Total well-being means that you are also free from diseases like arrhythmia. Exercise is known to strengthen the body. When you exercise, excess fats in the body are burns and thickening of arterial walls could be prevented. Also, inclusion of fruits and vegetables in your diet would help keep your heart healthy. Foods rich in potassium like bananas are recommended. Potassium is known to strengthen your heart and remedy its slow beating. People who have shortage of potassium could feel weak and might collapse. By eating the right kinds of food, you could easily save yourself from the effects of arrhythmia.

5 Advantages of Using Alternative Medicine

People are now aware that natural remedies could do wonders in preventing and treating many diseases. As a result, they turn to alternative medicine when they are ill. There are five advantages in using alternative ways of treating diseases.

First, you can have alternative treatment along with conventional treatment. This means that you can use natural remedies even if you are undergoing conventional treatment or taking prescribed drugs. This is because the procedures and medication used in alternative medicine does not produce any adverse reaction when mixed with other procedures or drugs. Actually, a lot of people with cancer all over the world utilize alternative therapy while undergoing chemotherapy without suffering any serious reaction from the two medications.

Second, alternative medicine is cheaper than conventional medicine but could be just as effective. Most alternative treatments are readily available and may not have high production costs. Herbal medicines are made using simple procedures such as boiling, steaming, drying and pulverizing, and extracting the juices. These are simple procedures that do not need lot of manpower, modern equipment, and other costly ingredients. These medications can be home made, which means there is no additional cost for ventilation and facilities. With very low overhead expense, people engaging in making natural home remedies can sell their products at a cheaper price.

Third, alternative medicine brings forth overall wellness of mind and body. For example, aromatherapy is known to help a person relax his body and mind. The scents used are known to give a person a feeling of well being. The same effects come with acupuncture and massage. They do not only cure one disease but these procedures are known to have excellent effects on the body.

Fourth, alternative medicine is known to have no side effects. Most people who have serious illnesses experience more discomfort and pain from the medicines that they are taking and from the procedures that they must undergo. For instance, most people cannot be operated on because they have diseases that might be aggravated by the procedure. It is also known that some drugs could trigger other diseases and could result to several complications. People who cannot have surgery for some reasons prefer it safe to turn to alternative medicine.

Fifth, holistic medicine includes conventional and alternative cures. Practitioners of alternative medicine are now recognized and they are accepted by health authorities and professionals. Alternative cures are fast becoming popular. In the United States of America, the recent health bill recognizes alternative medicine as part of providing health services to its constituents. In fact, some insurance companies now include in their coverage expenses for alternative treatments and medications that their members incur. Hence, people with health insurance can now include alternative medicines or a visit to an alternative medicine practitioner in their health insurance claim.