All You Fans of Popeye Rejoice!!
This leafy vegetable provides you most of the nutrients your body requires.
Here are some of the properties of spinach:
-Spinach has the ability to lower the cholesterol level of the body
-It also increases your metabolism and thus helps you lose weight
-It helps in the process of creating blood as well as it helps stop bleeding thus making it an excellent remedy for nosebleeds.
-Spinach purifies the blood of the various toxins that cause skin disease
-It is rich in iron and chlorophyll
-It also contains vitamin A in large quantities, which makes it valuable in the treatment of night blindness.

Keep this in mind:
The body does not easily absorb the minerals iron and calcium in spinach.
Spinach contains oxalic acid, a chemical that binds with iron and calcium, thus reducing their absorption by the body. In order to improve iron absorption, one should eat Vitamin C rich foods such as orange juice, tomatoes and other citrus fruits along with spinach.

Ways to make spinach part of your diet:
-Fresh spinach can be used to make a tasty, healthy salad. Add some ripe tomato for the Vitamin C.
-You can add spinach to soups or dishes like lasagna
-Stir-fried spinach along with garlic, onions and red bell peppers make a fantastic side-dish.

Mahalo to Rod Newbound for permission to print this tip. You can visit Rod’s Blog by simply clicking HERE. We are all interested in “anti-aging” eh!

Taste vs. Health
In September 2002 McDonald’s pledged to introduce new zero-trans-fat cooking oil, but with $23 billion dollars at stake, they were very slow to make the switch, citing the taste concerns. They have been under increasing pressure from consumer advocates and some public officials to make the change, and according to CBS News, finally did, just a few months ago, but did so quietly.

Fool Em!
Much like the devilish Chef Ramsay on Hell’s Kitchen they let people taste the healthier product before telling them that it lacked the animal fat. And, like the chefs at Hell’s Kitchen, there were no complaints.
I was one of those that belived the 2002 pledge and on occassion (too many occasions) “treated myself” to some fries. However I noticed that without fail I suffered heartbun that evening along with an unpleasant feeling in my stomach. When I learned that the “pledge” was not honored, I stopped eating the fries, but did not forgive McDonald’s for the deception.
Consequently, I have my doubts about this latest news. You know, “Once a liar…” If and when I choose to give them a try I’ll let you know how my body reacts. 

Green and Good
It is not for nothing that this fruit is called nature’s butter. While it contains plenty of fat per serving, the fat is of the good unsaturated kind. A typical serving – which is a half avocado – contains the same amount of fiber as one slice of whole-wheat toast.
Here are some of the benefits of avocado:
• They contains around 25% of the calories and total fat of dairy butter, by weight
• When compared ounce for ounce they provide more heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, fiber, vitamin E, folic acid, and potassium than other fruits.
• Avocados are the number-one fruit source of beta-sitosterol, a substance that lowers total cholesterol better than a low fat diet, and even improves HDL cholesterol.
• It also provides vitamin C and vitamin B6, and about one-third of your daily requirement of folate, a nutrient that helps neutralize excess levels of heart attack-causing homocysteine.

Serving Suggestion:
You can use it in place of spreads like butter or mayonnaise.
Avocado Fact:
The green, smooth-skinned Florida avocados have less fat and fewer calories than the smaller, rough-skinned California kind.
Ways to increase consumption of avocados:
You can use fresh avocado on sandwiches and toast for a healthy breakfast snack.

Dip It!
Avocados can also be used as a delicious dip, especially if you use yogurt instead of mayonnaise and add some roasted garlic.

Tip from Me:
If you have yet to discover Veganaise; get some. You will never use mayanaise again.

Almonds
Almonds are one of the most nutritious of all nuts. Not only are they a tasty and crunchy snack but they also have numerous benefits for the body.
If you feel like snacking on nuts, you can’t go wrong with almonds.
Two ounces, or about 24 almonds, give you more than 50 percent of your daily requirement of magnesium, a mineral that’s important for the health of your heart.

Here are a few of the benefits of almonds:
• Almonds are good for building muscle & fighting food cravings
• Fight obesity, heart disease, muscle loss, cancer
• A good source of vitamin E, fiber, and monounsaturated fat, all hearthealthy nutrients.
• According to a recent study, eating almonds may also reduce the risk of colon cancer.
• Almonds are the most nutritionally dense nuts – which means you get the maximum amount of nutrients out of the calories you consume.

To enjoy the health benefits of almonds, it is best to eat them with their skins intact.
Quick recipe:
For a quick popcorn alternative, spray a handful of almonds with nonstick cooking spray and bake them at 400 degrees F for 5 to 10 minutes or toast them on low-medium in a skillet on the stovetop with a little butter for the same amount of time (stir frequently to keep from burning). Take them out of the oven and sprinkle them with either a brown sugar (or honey) and cinnamon mix or cayenne pepper and thyme.
Did you know?
Eating 2 ounces of almonds (about 24 of them) can suppress your appetite, especially if you wash them down with 8 ounces of water. Try doing this 30 minutes before your evening meal.
Ways to increase consumption of almonds
• Almonds and apple slices make a simple, yummy power snack.
• Enhance a healthy sauté of curried vegetables with sliced almonds.
• Add a few to your favorite salad

Mahalo to Rod Newbound for permission to print this tip.
Rod will soon be publishing:
19 Power Foods and Recipes
That You Can Add to Your Diet
To Supercharge Your Health

I will let you know when and where you can get a copy.

“Where’s The Beef?”

That’s the question that Chef Gordon Ramsay was asking his chefs this week on Hell’s Kitchen. As a 44 year vegetarian I found it quite interesting to see these professional chefs all stumped by Chef Ramsay’s use of soy product rather than dead flesh; Chicken, Beef and Sausage. If you missed it, click HERE.
 
Over the years I have witnessed an enormous change in the reactions I get when saying that I don’t eat meat. They have gone from, “Oh my God, what do you eat?” to “I wish that I could do that.” I cannot begin to tell you how many times I hear, “I tried that once.” When I hear that I say, “Just do it; trying doesn’t cut it.”
 
The benefits of a meat free diet are many. Besides never getting sick and having clog free arteries, I wake up every day with a boundless degee of energy that lasts well into the night.

And, adopting a vegetarian diet is the single most important thing you can do to reduce your personal impact on the environment. It is the fastest path to reducing global warming with no negative impacts. Raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined. Most of these gases come from animal manure! Now that Stinks!

Oh No; Not Again

Self Portrait
I had to return to Dr. Lyndon Fong’s “House of Pain” for some added gum surgery today. After getting “shot up” and while waiting to be numb, I got on my iPhone and began handling e-mail. I couldn’t help but play with the camera and take this photo of myself.

Dr. Lyndon Fong
I then took a shot of Dr. Fong upon the completion of his work on me. This iPhone is bringing multi-tasking to a whole new level.

Later That Evening
Bring on the Drugs!

June 12, 2007 

Gum surgery is not a pretty sight, but if you ever need it, and are in Honolulu call Dr. Lyndon Fong.
Better yet, FLOSS, FLOSS and then FLOSS again, every day! I was told this at a very young age, but took my youth for granted, and am paying now.
Tomorrow morning I will be addressing 50 merchants at Waikele Shopping Center. They will NOT know how I feel. Dr. Fong’s great work (and some drugs) will be the reason.

To see this larger, (WHY?) just click on the picture and then click your back button to return to the blog.

Here’s WHAT to EAT and WHY!

I am grateful to “Runaway”, whoever that is, for sending me this wonderful list of health promoting foods, in alphabetical order. I hope that you will cut and paste this into a document of some form that you can save and refer to often.
I also hope that you will pass on a link to this list to the people in your life that matter to you. To do so, simply click on the title above (You Are What You Eat) and then copy the URL into your browser and send it along.

Apples
- They protect your heart
- They improve your lung capacity
- They cushion your joints
- They prevent constipation
- They block diarrhea

Apricots
-They combat cancer
-They control your blood pressure
-They save your eyesight
-They shield you against Alzheimer’s disease
-They slow the aging process

Artichokes
-They aid in digestion
-They lower cholesterol
-They protect your heart
-They stabilize your blood sugar
-They guard against liver disease

Avocados
-They battle diabetes
-They lower your cholesterol
-They help stop strokes
-They control blood pressure
-They smooth out your skin

Bananas
-They protect your heart
-They quiet a cough
-They strengthen your bones
-They control your blood pressure
-They block diarrhea

Beans
-They lower cholesterol
-They combat cancer
-They stabilize your blood sugar
-They prevent constipation
-They help with hemorrhoids

Beets
-They control your blood pressure
-They combat cancer
-They strengthen your bones
-They protect your heart
-They aid in weight loss

Blueberries
-They combat cancer
-They protects your heart
-They stabilizes your blood sugar
-They boost your memory
-They prevent constipation

Broccoli
-It strengthens your bones
-It saves your eyesight
-It combats cancer
-It protects your heart
-It controls your blood pressure

Cabbage
-It combats cancer
-It prevents constipation
-It promotes weight loss
-They protect your heart
-It helps with hemorrhoids

Cantaloupe
-It saves your eyesight
-It controls your blood pressure
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It combats cancer
-It supports your immune system

Carrots
-They save your eyesight
-They protect your heart
-They prevent constipation
-They combat cancer
-They promote weight loss

Cauliflower
-It protects against Prostate Cancer
-It combats Breast Cancer
-It strengthens your bones
-It banishes bruises
-It guards against heart disease

Cherries
-They protect your heart
-They combat Cancer
-They end insomnia
-They slow the aging process
-They shield you against Alzheimer’s disease

Chestnuts
-They promote weight loss
-They protects your heart
-They lower your cholesterol
-They combat Cancer
-They control blood pressure 

Chili peppers
-They aid in digestion
-They soothe a sore throat
-They clear your sinuses
-They combat Cancer
-They boost your immune system

Figs
-They promote weight loss
-They help stop strokes
-They lower your cholesterol
-They combat Cancer
-They control your blood pressure

Flax
-It aids in digestion
-It battles diabetes
-It protects your heart
-It improves mental health
-It boosts your immune system

Garlic
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It controls your blood pressure
-It combats cancer
-It kills bacteria
-It fights fungus

Grapefruit
-It protects you against heart attacks
-It promotes Weight loss
-It helps stops strokes
-It combats Prostate Cancer
-It lowers cholesterol

Grapes
-They save your eyesight
-They conquer kidney stones
-They combat cancer
-They enhance blood flow
-They protect your heart

Green Tea
-It combats cancer
-It protects your heart
-It helps stop strokes
-It promotes Weight loss
-It kills bacteria

Honey
-It heals wounds
-It aids in your digestion
-It guards you against ulcers
-It increases your energy
-It fights allergies

Lemons
-They combat cancer
-They protect your heart
-They control your blood pressure
-They smooth your skin
-They stop scurvy

Limes
-They combat cancer
-They protect your heart
-They control blood pressure
-They smooth your skin
-They stop scurvy

Mangoes
-They combat cancer
-They boost your memory
-They regulate your thyroid
-They aid in your digestion
-They shields you against Alzheimer’s disease

Mushrooms
-They control your blood pressure
-They lower your cholesterol
-They kill bacteria
-They combat cancer
-They strengthen your bones

Oats
-They lower your cholesterol
-They combat cancer
-They battle diabetes
-They prevent constipation
-They smoothes your skin

Olive Oil
-It protects your heart
-It promotes Weight loss
-It combats cancer
-It battles diabetes
-It smoothes your skin

Onions
-They combat cancer
-They lower your cholesterol
-They reduce the risk of heart attacks
-They kill bacteria
-They fight fungus

Oranges
-They support your immune systems
-They combat cancer
-They protect your heart
-They straighten control your respiration

Peaches
-They prevent constipation
-They combat cancer
-They help stops strokes
-They aid in your digestion
-They help hemorrhoids

Peanuts
-They protect you against heart disease
-They promote Weight loss
-They combat Prostate Cancer
-They lower your cholesterol
-They aggravate diverticulitis

Pineapples
-They strengthen your bones
-They relieve colds
-They aid in your digestion
-They dissolve warts
-They block diarrhea

Prunes
-They slow the aging process
-They prevent constipation
-They boost your memory
-They lower your cholesterol
-They protect you against heart disease

Rice
-It protects your heart
-It battles diabetes
-It conquers kidney stones
-It combats cancer
-It helps prevent strokes

Strawberries
-They combat cancer
-They protect your heart
-They boost your memory
-They calm stress

Sweet Potatoes
-They save your eyesight
-They lift your mood
-They combat cancer
-They strengthen your bones

Tomatoes
-They protect your prostate
-They combat cancer
-They lower your cholesterol
-They protect your heart

Walnuts
-They lower your cholesterol
-They combat cancer
-They boost your memory
-They lift your mood
-They protect you from heart disease

Water
-It promotes Weight loss
-It combats cancer
-It conquers kidney stones
-It smooths your skin

Watermelon
-It protects your prostate
-It promotes Weight loss
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It helps prevent strokes
-It controls your blood pressure

Wheat Germ
-It combats Colon Cancer
-It prevents constipation
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It helps prevent strokes
-It improves your digestion

Wheat Bran
-It combats Colon Cancer
-It prevents constipation
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It helps prevent strokes
-It improves your digestion

Yogurt
-It guards against ulcers
-It strengthens your bones
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It supports your immune systems
-It aids your digestion

Keeps the Doctor Away

The old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” is more than folklore. One medium size, unpeeled apple provides over 3 grams of fiber, more than 10% of the daily fiber intake recommended by experts.

The apple’s two types of fiber lower cholesterol levels, and thus reduce your risk of heart attack, and stroke.

Adding just one large apple to your daily diet has been shown to decrease cholesterol 8-11%, and eating 2 large apples a day has lowered cholesterol levels by up to 16%!

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine confirms that eating high fiber foods, such as apples, helps prevent heart disease. Almost 10,000 American adults participated in this study and were followed for 19 years.

Lowering cholesterol levels isn’t the only benefit of eating apples. The pectin they contain removes toxins like the heavy metals lead and mercury, from your body.

Another antioxidant, vitamin C, also found in apples, will boost your body’s immune defenses, providing yet another way that apples protect against cancer.

For me, eating apples sounds better than going to the doctor.

Time Flies When Busy

16 minutes under the Blu Light on my face and right arm seemed like forever, but when they did my left arm it seemed like only a few seconds.

Being right handed I sensed the opportunity and convinced the technician to rearrange her room to allow me to work on my lap top as the blu light did its skin cancer killing thing.

I barely had time to get the Morning Report Stars Page set-up before it was over.

Click on the photo for full view and then click on your back button to return to the blog.

25 Years of Smiling
It was 25 years ago that University professor Scott E. Fahlman got people adding to their e-mail messages.

I have been saying, “Keep Smiling” longer than that. A smile goes a long way. It can change how you feel as well as how you make others feel when they see you.

Click here to read 10 good reasons to smile. And then… KEEP SMILING; no matter what is happening around you.