Antioxident-Rich Foods

Most of us know that it's good to eat lots of antioxident-rich foods. They help slow down the aging process, fight disease, and combat degeneration. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity is the level of the antioxident level in a specific food. This ORAC value is a number given to tell us how good it is at fighting free radicals - the enemies to every cell in our bodies. The higher the number, the more potent the antioxident capacity.

Here is a list of the top 20 antioxident-rich foods along with their ORAC values:

1. Small red beans, 1/2 cup -  13727
2. Wild blueberries, 1 cup    -  13427
3. Red kidney beans, 1/2 cup - 13259
4. Pinto beans, 1/2 cup -  11864
5. Cultivated blueberries, 1 cup -  9019
6. Cranberries, 1 cup  -  8983
7. Artichoke hearts, 1 cup cooked  -  7904
8. Blackberries, 1 cup  -  7701
9. Dried prunes, 1/2 cup  -  7291
10. Raspberries, 1 cup  -  6058
11. Strawberries, 1 cup  -  5938
12. Red Delicious apple  -  5900
13. Granny Smith apple  -  5381
14. Pecans, 1 ounce  -  5095
15. Sweet cherries, 1 cup  -  4873
16. Black Plum  -  4844
17. Russet Potato, 1 cooked  -  4649
18. Black beans, 1/2 cup  -  4181
19. Plum  -  4118
20. Gala apple  -  3903

We've heard so much about "super fruits", but look at all those "super beans"! If you cook your beans at home, remember to soak them overnight and/or put a stick of Kombu seaweed in the pan while cooking; both these help cut down on gas. Take your digestive enzymes, too!

A BIG thanks!

Thanks to all the lovely ladies who attended my class on "Balancing Hormones Naturally" yesterday. We had a super time, filled with helpful information, yummy, healthy treats and hugs!

Keep posted for more information on upcoming classes!

Miso Soup reduces risk of Breast Cancer

As reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vo. 95, Issue #12, Miso Soup Consumption is linked with up to a 50% reduction in the risk of  breast cancer!

As I posted previously, Miso is a live food with many health benefits.

Here is an easy, delicious way to prepare on cup of Miso Soup:

Simmer 1/2 tsp. chopped scallion, 1/2 tsp. crushed seaweed (like wakame), and several pieces of cubed tofu in 1 cup water or stock.

Dissolve 2 tsp. Miso in a small amount of water and add to the soup after removing it from the heat. Never boil miso!

Enjoy!