Food and Drink
Natural Products Expo West 2016 Part One
April 2, 2016 Written by JPLast month, I joined approximately 77,000 other members of the natural health community in Anaheim, California. Natural Products Expo West is an ever expanding mecca for exhibitors of all sorts of holistically-inspired body care, foods, household goods and supplements. All told there were over 3,000 exhibitors presenting their respective wares. At the same time, there was also a broad array of educational presentations on topics ranging from sustainable agriculture to the future of probiotics.
Tags: Almonds, Beets, Organic
Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Product Reviews | 5 Comments & Updates
Prescription 2016: Eat More Onions
March 11, 2016 Written by JPI think it’s safe to say that onions are a relatively popular vegetable. Although, they tend to be more the co-star than than the lead actor in a meal. Apart from onion rings, when was the last time you saw an onion casserole, onion salad, or sautéed onions as a main or side dish in a restaurant? Not very likely! While that’s probably not going to change anytime soon, you may want to onions to play a more prominent role in your own kitchen.
Tags: Heart Health, Onions, Quercetin
Posted in Bone and Joint Health, Diabetes, Food and Drink | 14 Comments & Updates
Crunchies Product Review
March 5, 2016 Written by JPWhy would anyone actively avoid eating fruit? For some, this question can be answered in one word: sugar. Most fruits contain a significant amount of naturally occurring fructose and glucose. But, much like other whole foods, fruit also features additional components. Fat, fiber, nutrients and a long list of phytochemicals dictate the blood sugar response and overall health impact of any given fruit. For instance, avocados are rich in both fat and fiber, which makes them an ideal choice for those concerned about blood sugar fluctuations. However, the reality is that most fruits do not contain much fat. Therefore, fruit selection ought to focus on fiber, nutrient-density and phytochemical content.
Tags: Blueberries, Kiwi, Strawberries
Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Product Reviews | 6 Comments & Updates
Prescription 2016: Natural Sore Throat Remedies
January 25, 2016 Written by JPPharyngitis is the technical name for a sore throat. In most cases viral infections, such as the common cold or influenza, are responsible for the characteristic inflammation and swelling in the back of the throat or pharynx. Thankfully, there are some evidence-based alternatives that address sore throat prevention, recovery time and symptom severity.
Tags: Echinacea, Licorice, Zinc
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements | 7 Comments & Updates
Book Review: Always Hungry?
December 21, 2015 Written by JPConquer food cravings. Check! Retrain your fat cells. Check! Lose weight permanently. Check! These are the bold pronouncements made on the cover of the new book, Always Hungry? I’m fully aware that such claims are typically associated with fad diets and weight loss schemes. But, I hope that my history and reputation will encourage you to stick with me for the remainder of this review. As you may know, several years ago I lost over 80 lbs by adopting a high-fat, nutrient-dense, lower carbohydrate diet. Since then, I’ve mostly maintained that initial weight loss. In fact, right now I weigh less than I did at the end of my weight loss journey. Hopefully that gives me some credibility in this arena.
Tags: Body Fat, Inflammation, Vitamin D
Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink, Heart Health | 10 Comments & Updates
Prescription 2015: Use More Coconut
December 16, 2015 Written by JPHard to believe another year has passed so quickly, but 2015 is swiftly winding down. But, before ushering in 2016, I’d like to offer up one last healthy prescription. Long time readers of this site and my Twitter followers know that I’ve been on the coconut bandwagon for quite some time. This once maligned food and ingredient is now considered conditionally healthy by many health experts. Still, there are enough dissenting voices in the alternative and mainstream media to stimulate uncertainty in the minds of some. Today, I hope to put those unconvinced minds at ease when it comes to the enjoyment and health benefits of coconut.
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Tags: Coconut, Diabetes, Skin Care
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Heart Health | 10 Comments & Updates
Moringa Oleifera Research
November 3, 2015 Written by JPOne of the hottest new supplements in the natural health marketplace is Moringa oleifera. The leaves of this “miracle tree” are frequently described as an exotic “super food” because of their nutrient density and subtropical origin. So, on the one hand, you’ll often find organic, powdered forms of M. oleifera leaves in high-end health food stores. And, at the same time, a lesser processed version is sometimes used as an ingredient in the diets of poor communities where malnutrition is common.
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements | 6 Comments & Updates
Hemorrhagic Stroke Question
October 17, 2015 Written by JPRecently, I was asked an intriguing question that regularly comes up in my line of work. A friend of the site wondered whether eating too many “super foods” or going overboard on supplements can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. There are two types of stroke: hemorrhagic and ischemic. According to the National Stroke Association, only about 15% of strokes are the hemorrhagic variety. This form of stroke involves bleeding in the brain caused by damaged or weakened arteries and blood vessels. Cerebral blood spills build up pressure in the cranium and subsequently damage the brain.
Tags: Aspirin, Ginkgo Biloba, Stroke
Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Nutritional Supplements | 9 Comments & Updates
Sardine Salad Recipe
September 26, 2015 Written by JPEvery once in awhile I get the undeniable urge to share something that’s a little “out there”, even by my standards. Usually, this comes about as a result of some mad chemistry experiment in the Healthy Fellow kitchen or lab. But still, don’t dismiss today’s recipe right off the bat. Although this unconventional meal may sound a bit unusual, it just might fill an important role in your quest for genuinely healthy “fast food”.
Tags: Avocados, Fish, Pumpkin Seeds
Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Recipes | 8 Comments & Updates
Prescription 2015: Feed Your Good Gut Bacteria
September 18, 2015 Written by JPThe importance of gut bacteria has become a red hot topic over the last several years. Best-selling books by the likes of Drs. David Perlmutter (“Brain Maker” ), Gerard Mullin (“The Gut Balance Revolution”) and Raphael Kellman (“The Microbiome Diet”) have ushered in a new era of “probiotic-medicine”. In previous decades, research on gut microbiota primarily focused on bacterial imbalance (aka dysbiosis) and its role in digestive disorders, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These days, specialists in the field are closely examining diversity and quantities of gut bacteria in relation to diseases ranging from depression to obesity. However, along with these exciting new findings comes many questions about how to practically manipulate gut microbiota.
Tags: Berries, Prebiotics, Probiotics
Posted in Food and Drink, Mental Health, Nutrition | 39 Comments & Updates
Lemon Gingerade Recipe
August 10, 2015 Written by JPThe inspiration for today’s healing elixir is the “dog days” of summer. It’s been hot, muggy and, some refreshment is definitely in order! But, there’s a twist to this recipe: it can be tweaked ever so slightly to make it into a warm, soothing beverage for the frosty days of winter as well.
Tags: Ginger, Lemon, Maple Syrup
Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Recipes | 14 Comments & Updates
Prescription 2015: Macadamia Nuts
August 3, 2015 Written by JPThese days, many nutritionists are no longer recommending a low fat diet as the be-all and end-all for promoting health. I agree! It’s absolutely fine, and, even advisable, for most people to eat moderate to large amounts of healthy fats. Foods such as avocados, grass fed meat, nuts, omega-3 eggs, seeds and wild fish can be enjoyed regularly without any sense of guilt or lingering uncertainty. But, the thing to keep in mind is that the components of any given diet do not exist in isolation. The health effects of dietary fat are influenced by the composition of your overall diet. For instance, a potato chip snack which is high in carbohydrates and fat will affect your body much differently than avocado slices wrapped in prosciutto. A typical serving of the latter may contain an equivalent amount of fat, but is much lower in carbohydrates and a richer source of protein.
Tags: Cholesterol, Inflammation, Macadamia
Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Nutrition | 9 Comments & Updates
Camel Milk Research
July 15, 2015 Written by JPOne of the fastest growing food categories is cow milk alternatives. By now, many consumers are aware of both animal and plant-based beverages that are targeted to those who need or wish to avoid conventional milk. On the animal side of the aisle, you can now easily find goat and sheep’s milk in health food stores and specialty markets. Plant-based “milks” aren’t actually milk at all. But, these fortified drinks made from almonds, coconuts, cashews, hemp and soy can and do substitute quite well for milk under some circumstances. The bottom line is that milk has become a major component in the modern diet, and that has spurred a rapidly evolving revolution in dairy and dairy substitutes.
Tags: Autism, Diabetes, Milk
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 12 Comments & Updates