Blog Archives

Ginger and Turmeric - Spices of Life

3/3/2013

Raw Turmeric and Ginger

If you haven't tried raw ginger or turmeric in your cooking, it's something to consider. They are easy to prepare and add flavor. Turmeric is bright orange and ginger is a pale yellow or cream color. Turmeric and ginger make a nice combination in curries. Ginger goes well in stir-fries, soups, and even smoothies. Even better, they provide many valuable health benefits!

Turmeric Benefits

anti-inflammatory
anti-bacterial
contains curcumin: anti-cancer, anti-arthritic
large amounts of iron
source of potassium, vitamin c, manganese, and zinc
lowers bad cholesterol
may help cure cystic fibrosis (Source)

Ginger Benefits

anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial
contains essential oils such as gingerol, shogaol, zingerone which have many health benefits (Source)
benefits intestinal tracts
source of anti-oxidants

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Lowering Risk of Cataracts through Diet

3/3/2013

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A study of 27,000 British participants 40 years or older found that diet was linked to risk of cataracts. The study concluded that vegetarians and vegans had the lowest risk of developing cataracts compared to those who ate meat, fish, or poultry. [NIH Abstract] The NIH defines cataracts as follows:

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.

More research is needed to determine how it reduces the risk of this condition, but diet affects so many parts of the body that it's not surprising that eye health is related to it as well. As more Americans adopt vegan or vegetarian diets, it will be interesting to observe if the prevalence of the condition decreases.

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On Trend with Vegan Fashion

3/2/2013

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New fashion line Vaute Couture put its collection on the runway at New York's Fashion Week in February and was well received as discussed in this article from US News. The fabric for the line didn't include any leather, lamb skin, wool, or fur and was made from "organic, recycled, and high-tech fabrics."
As vegan fashion gains popularity on the runways of NY, it will most likely influence many other designers and retailers to consider vegan fabrics and clothing. Stella McCartney, for example, designs cruelty free fashion and retailers such as Target and Payless now sell vegan shoes.
It nice to see vegan fashion along with vegan diets hitting the mainstream. With more clothing options available to suit all budgets, those wishing to extend the vegan philosophy from diet to clothing and accessories can look good doing so and be on trend!

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Influence of Diet on Positive Behavior

3/1/2013

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The experimental...methodology has demonstrated that supplementing prisoners' diets with physiological dosages of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids caused a reduction in antisocial behavior to a remarkable degree.

This conclusion from a British nutrition study on inmates was the result of comparing two groups, one which ate standard prison meals which typically didn't provide proper nutrition and the other which had food supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, found a reduction in anti-social instances.
Several research studies to date, including this one from 2002, support the powerful role diet has on behavior, especially its ability to influence good behavior and transform damaging conduct. The study also notes that poor diet can be easily "identified and remedied". One remedy is to eat enough vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds, all elements of a vegan diet, to provide the nutrition everyone needs to feel great and act with good intentions!

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