“Blueberry” items

"Ahh, blueberries...now in everything from your breakfast cereal to muffins, granola bars, and sauces—or are they? Turns out that most of the blueberry-flavored items on grocery store shelves don't feature a single actually berry, just artificial blueberry flavor. Buy your own berries and add them to plain cereal for a real health boost" -Read more: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/foods-you-should-never-buy-again/#ixzz3IEJQBPTf

Turmeric fights Alzheimer's! 

My mom had Alzheimer's which is one reason I'm always interested in research in this area. Pretty impressive! "While there are 114 studies on our Turmeric research page indicating turmeric has a neuroprotective set of physiological actions, 30 of these studies are directly connected to turmeric's anti-Alzheimer's disease properties." Read more here...

METAL IN YOUR OATMEAL?

Yep, not only are those supposedly convenient packs of instant oatmeal full of sugar and calories, but they're sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which may be contaminated with mercury. A study found mercury in 1/3rd of instant oatmeal at levels three times higher than what should consumed in a day. Not to mention the fiber is processed out of it. Does it really take that long to cook REAL steel cut organic oatmeal? No, truly it doesn't. Cook it the night before, stick it in the refrigerator and heat it up in the morning. Add some healthy cinnamon and nuts. Read more here.

Need a brain boost - eat protein:

Did you know that eating between 4 and 5 ounces of protein helps your brain create dopamine and norepinephrine, neurochemicals that keep you alert, says Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., author of The Serotonin Power Diet. Dopamine also increases your motivation to accomplish tasks.

Nuts can help you lose weight!

Nuts do contain fat, "BUT the surprising truth is that nuts are one of the best foods for weight loss, according to Harvard researchers. 'Nuts are loaded with protein and fiber, which can help you feel full for longer,' explains Richter. One study in the journal Obesity found that people who ate nuts at least twice a week were less likely to put on pounds over the long run than those who didn't." The fat in nuts is the heart-healthy unsaturated kind.  Keep it to one ounce - 23 almonds, 14 walnut halves, and 49 pistachios." - according to Prevention.com.

Protein to preserve lean body mass: 

Did you know that when researchers at Purdue University asked 46 dieting women to eat either 30% or 18% of their calories from protein, the high-protein eaters felt more satisfied and less hungry. Plus, over the course of 12 weeks, the women preserved more lean body mass, which includes calorie-burning muscle. Read more here:

Use maple syrup instead of sugar: 

"According to Rodale. com - "In 2011, a pharmacist from the University of Rhode Island discovered 54 previously unknown compounds in maple syrup from Canada, many of which were anti-inflammatory (which protects your heart) and exhibited cancer-fighting antioxidant properties. Ironically, two of the antioxidants they found were later discovered to fight enzymes that lead to type 2 diabetes." Be sure to choose grade B and 100% maple syrup, not just "flavored" maple syrup - BIG difference. 

Blackstrap Molasses - more iron than red meat!

According to Rodale.com - "Blackstrap molasses is rich in iron, potassium, and calcium, making it a healthier choice than nutritionally defunct artificial sweeteners or even regular refined sugar. In fact, one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses provides more iron—but fewer calories and fat—than a three-ounce serving of red meat."

Did you know that the organic industry is growing rapidly in spite of a poor economy. Research shows this to be true not just in produce, but also in the purchase of organic beef, eggs, milk and "even hair care categories".  Surprisingly, it is the age group under age 40 who were more likely to choose organic regardless of their income. Click on the picture below to follow the link to find out more.

Kale - is it better than beef?

Dairy and beef both contain calcium, but the U.S. still has some of the highest rates of bone loss and osteoporosis in the world. Kale contains more calcium per calorie than milk (90 grams per serving) and is also better absorbed by the body than dairy. - Organic Authority - read more here.