by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Health, My Organic Life, Recipes
Red Bell Peppers
These anti-oxidant veggies are rich in Vitamins A, C, B6, folic acid and fiber. They also contain Lycopene, a known cancer-preventitive. Best raw, however, Lycopene, unlike other carotenes, does not diminish in effectiveness when cooked. Great in salads, on skewers, as a snack or on sandwiches. 🙂
Garlic
One of my favorite veggies, and perfect as a pest-control in the garden, I prefer garlic as a tea, but you can add it to just about anything in moderation! Garlic helps prevent plaque, lowers cholesterol and reduces inflammation.
Buy it fresh, bottled, minced or powdered, and add it to meat, vegetable or salad dishes.
Cranberries
A handful of Cranberries a day can save you a lot of agony! These tangy, tasty berries are known to protect against bladder infections by preventing bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. In a similar way, cranberries also protect the stomach from ulcer-causing bacteria and protect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, promoting GI health. Cranberries have also been shown to protect against cancer and heart disease.
Blueberries
Even if you have advanced kidney disease, blueberries are one of the few fruits that you can eat without worry. While blueberries may be relatively low in nutrients, they are very high in anti-oxidants, with 6,520 mcg of anti-oxidant compounds in a 100-g serving. By way of comparison, cooked broccoli has only 1,552 mcg in a 100-g serving. Anti-oxidant-rich foods don’t harm your kidneys. Rather, they help prevent cancer and other chronic diseases.
Olive Oil
One of my favorite super foods over all, Olives & Olive Oil are a great source of oleic acid, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid, and the monounsaturated fat in olive oil protects against oxidation. Olive oil is rich in ployphenols and antioxidant compounds that prevent inflammation and oxidation.
Studies show that populations that use large amounts of olive oil instead of other oils have lower rates of heart disease and cancer.
Buy virgin or extra virgin olive oil because they are higher in antioxidants. Use olive oil as a base in cooking, for dipping bread or for marinating veggies.
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by Tara Mackey | Around the World, Blogroll, Health, My Organic Life, My Photography
So, Winter is upon us. This is my first Fall into Winter in California, and it’s extremely mild compared to the ones I’ve spent in New York, Boston and Vermont. Admittedly, Winter is my absolutely least favorite season: it takes my tiny frame hours to warm up, the grey skies make me miserable, I feel house bound in the cold, I don’t think I’ve ever successfully dug my car out of a pile of snow by myself, my shoots always get cancelled, I can’t exercise… I could go on and on. So the photos that I am getting of my friends and family’s places covered in snow, while I trounce around in a pair of shorts throwing balls to Raelie put a little tinge of guilt in my heart (although I will be back twice in the next two months for the Holidays!)
Here are my tips of 5 Ways to Win the Winter:
Find a Project
Remember that dress you’ve been meaning to sew? Or better yet – that novel you’ve been working on? That wall in the garage needs a fresh coat, and damn, haven’t you been trying to fit some Yoga into your schedule? I find that winter is the absolute best time to sit down and make a list of projects I’ve been absolutely just putting off, and taking a day, or two, to either get them done with some loved ones, or make them yours! I find that sectioning my projects off into weeks of the month really helps! That way, you have 7 whole days to get it done, and you can begin to look forward to doing the next thing! There’s a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and you get to spend time in one place without feeling like you are forced to be there.
Create a Garden
Mother Nature never takes a day off, so why should you? I find that Winter planting is SO rewarding: planting seeds is rewarding because they will begin to bloom most likely right as your days are getting longer! And hardy winter plants are doing more than just surviving when the winter comes: they are thriving! Having a garden during the winter creates inspiration, adds texture and a touch of the unexpected in the landscape when our springtime favorites are taking a long winter’s nap. The winter is also the perfect time to get improvements and renovations done before the summer months. Whether this means planting new seeds in the garden, getting in touch with professional bamboo landscapers to get rid of the bamboo that may be contaminating the garden or even adding little garden features, these are just a few tips to getting the garden looking brand new!
Taking care of our gardens and the outside of our homes during this time of year is absolutely essential. We all know that weather in winter is largely unpredictable; with heavy rains and strong winds, winter can knock our gardens for six. Debris is often scattered across our yards and homes, sometimes collecting on our roofs and accumulating in our gutters. This can pose a potential problem down the line as blocked gutters could cause water damage to a property’s roof and walls if left unaddressed. Services like Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning Richmond can help to avoid this situation from ocurring and also improve the appearance and curb appeal of your home as such blockages are rather unsightly.
Read a Big Book
Now, I don’t mean a looooong book: I mean a BIG book! A book with BIG, Life changing ideas! There are a TON of inspirational book communities on the interwebz, but if you need a tipping point, Goodreads is a GREAT start! However, tons of your favorite TV hosts, book clubs, and gurus have guests on, & book recommendations that can help you stay current, informed, and inspired about Life and possibilities!
Learn Something New
The sense of accomplishment in learning some new is unprecedented. I think this is a great way of saying: Improve Something. Change your diet, learn Chinese, learn how your cell phone works, take your old computer apart. As a musician, I take my Winter to learn a new instrument. People often gain weight in the winter from indulging in junk foods, alcohol and cigarettes in order to “kill time“. The idea that you can be consistently practicing or learning something different not only provides a great distraction from that extra trip to the fridge – you get to share it with others as well!
Chase the Day
When the days get darker earlier, I get up earlier. Adjust your schedule so that you fit a daily walk in during the BRIGHTEST parts of the day! People who live within 30 degrees of the equator seldom suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, thanks to long hours of daylight and bright sunshine. Head further north or south, however, and symptoms become more prevalent. My road trip from the East to the West coast last year literally felt like I was escaping Fall! Booking a holiday now even for January or February will give you something to look forward to, but in the meantime: work with what you have! It’s been entirely proven that the amount of sun you get directly affects your mood, so when the sun peeks through, take a lunch by the window or take a walk around the block!
Do you have any tips on How to Win the Winter?
I’d love to hear from you!
xo
