Sunday, February 27, 2011
The difference...
Friday, February 25, 2011
What a sad sad reality... why do we humans have to F**K everything up?
Three quarters of the world’s coral reefs are threatened by agricultural runoff, shipping, overfishing, coastal development, pollution, climate change, warming seas and ocean acidification according to a new report from the World Resources Institute, titled “Reefs at Risk.” The report is a follow-up to a 1998 report they did on the same global problem, but this time more detailed.
The document summarizes the global situation for coral reefs: “Warming seas have already caused widespread damage to reefs, with high temperatures driving a stress response called coral bleaching, where corals lose their colorful symbiotic algae, exposing their white skeletons. This is projected to intensify in coming decades. Ocean acidification reduces coral growth rates and, if unchecked, could reduce their ability to maintain their physical structure.” (Source: Reefs at Risk, Executive Summary) Conservation International calls the report the most detailed assessment of coral reef threats ever undertaken.
Coral Reef Locations
Why are coral reefs important? They provide the highest biodiversity for all marine ecosystems in the oceans. They also host 25 percent or more of all marine fish species. One estimate put the benefits coral reefs provide at 29 billion US dollars per year. They generate billions of dollars per year for tourism and recreation and are the foundation of life for many marine organisms.
Reefs around the world have been dying off due to the various impacts caused by human activity. When they are gone, the biodiversity depending on them also goes. As one researcher said, It’s like when everything in the forest is gone except for little twigs.”(Source: MSNBC.com)
Coral is an animal, not a plant. Reefs are generated when colonies of live corals grow together, then die, and become a hardened structure for new live corals to grow upon and the process is repeated. Coral polyps release eggs and sperm into surrounding water. When an egg meets a sperm a they become a larva. This baby coral floats until it finds a hard surface to attach to like a coral reef. Once it attaches, it begins building a shell made from carbon dioxide and calcium. The shell is made of calcium carbonate, aka limestone. It is hard and protects the coral inside.
These coral polyps are typically nocturnal, and release their tentacles at night to sting food (phytoplankton) and draw it inside to eat. They also can use photosynthesis for energy, if they contain an algae in their tissues, and most reef-building ones do. A coral reef can be made up of millions of individual coral polyps fused together. The most colorful parts of a reef are usually the live corals.
Some reefs are miles long like the Great Barrier Reef, which is over 1,000 miles in length. The basic configuration of the reef may have started developing 8,000 years ago. Portions of it have already died. About one third of reef-building corals are facing extinction.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Who'd woulda thunk it?
i HATED... i LOATHED... almost BARFED when i saw or smelled Brussel Sprouts when i was younger...but somehow... someway... i started to love them... and so... all this good nutritional information makes me HAPPY that my taste buds have changed... some info about these goodies that i found quite wonderful...
You'll find nearly 100 studies in PubMed (the health research database at the National Library of Medicine in Washington, D.C.) that are focused on Brussels sprouts, and over half of those studies involve the health benefits of this cruciferous vegetable in relationship to cancer. This connection between Brussels sprouts and cancer prevention should not be surprising since Brussels sprouts provide special nutrient support for three body systems that are closely connected with cancer development as well as cancer prevention. These three systems are (1) the body's detox system, (2) its antioxidant system, and (3) its inflammatory/anti-inflammatory system. Chronic imbalances in any of these three systems can increase risk of cancer, and when imbalances in all three systems occur simultaneously, the risk of cancer increases significantly. Among all types of cancer, prevention of the following cancer types is most closely associated with intake of Brussels sprouts: bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer.
What's New and Beneficial About Brussels Sprouts
- Brussels sprouts can provide you with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits if you will use a steaming method when cooking them. The fiber-related components in Brussels sprouts do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they've been steamed. When this binding process takes place, it's easier for bile acids to be excreted, and the result is a lowering of your cholesterol levels. Raw Brussels sprouts still have cholesterol-lowering ability-just not as much as steamed Brussels sprouts.
- Brussels sprouts may have unique health benefits in the area of DNA protection. A recent study has shown improved stability of DNA inside of our white blood cells after daily consumption of Brussels sprouts in the amount of 1.25 cups. Interestingly, it's the ability of certain compounds in Brussels sprouts to block the activity of sulphotransferase enzymes that researchers believe to be responsible for these DNA-protective benefits.
- For total glucosinolate content, Brussels sprouts are now known to top the list of commonly eaten cruciferous vegetables. Their total glucosinolate content has been shown to be greater than the amount found in mustard greens, turnip greens, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, or broccoli. In Germany, Brussels sprouts account for more glucosinolate intake than any other food except broccoli. Glucosinolates are important phytonutrients for our health because they are the chemical starting points for a variety of cancer-protective substances. All cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates and have great health benefits for this reason. But it's recent research that's made us realize how especially valuable Brussels sprouts are in this regard.
- The cancer protection we get from Brussels sprouts is largely related to four specific glucosinolates found in this cruciferous vegetable: glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin, sinigrin, and gluconasturtiian. Research has shown that Brussels sprouts offer these cancer-preventive components in special combination.
- Brussels sprouts have been used to determine the potential impact of cruciferous vegetables on thyroid function. In a recent study, 5 ounces of Brussels sprouts were consumed on a daily basis for 4 consecutive weeks by a small group of healthy adults and not found to have an unwanted impact on their thyroid function. Although follow-up studies are needed, this study puts at least one large stamp of approval on Brussels sprouts as a food that can provide fantastic health benefits without putting the thyroid gland at risk.
Recommendations
You'll want to include Brussels sprouts as one of the cruciferous vegetables you eat on a regular basis if you want to receive the fantastic health benefits provided by the cruciferous vegetable family. At a minimum, include cruciferous vegetables as part of your diet 2-3 times per week, and make the serving size at least 1-1/2 cups. Even better from a health standpoint, enjoy Brussels sprouts and other vegetables from the cruciferous vegetable group 4-5 times per week and increase your serving size to 2 cups.
It is very important not to overcook Brussels sprouts. Not only do they lose their nutritional value and taste but they will begin to emit the unpleasant sulfur smell associated with overcooked cruciferous vegetables. To help Brussels sprouts cook more quickly and evenly cut each sprout into quarters. Let them sit for at least 5 minutes to bring out the health-promoting qualities and then steam them for 5 minutes. Serve with our Honey Mustard Dressing to add extra tang and flavor to Brussels sprouts.
Cruciferous Vegetable Benefits
All cruciferous vegetables-including Brussels sprouts-provide integrated nourishment across a wide variety of nutritional categories and provide broad support across a wide variety of body systems as well. For more on cruciferous vegetables see:
Health Benefits
Brussels sprouts provide numerous health benefits including:
- Anti-inflammatory benefits
- Antioxidant properties
- Detoxification benefits
- Cancer prevention
- Cardiovascular support
- Digestive support
Nutritional Profile
Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of immune-supportive vitamin C and anti-inflammatory vitamin K. They are a very good source of immune-supportive vitamin A (through their concentration of carotenoid phytonutrients), enzyme-activating manganese, heart-healthy fiber, potassium,vitamin B6 and fiber, and energy-producing vitamin B1. Additionally, they are a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and magnesium, energy-producing iron, phosphorus, and vitamin B2, bone-healthy copper and calcium, and muscular-system supportive protein.
Brussels Sprouts as a "Goitrogenic" Food
Brussels sprouts sometimes referred to as a "goitrogenic" food. Yet, contrary to popular belief, according to the latest studies, foods themselves-Brussels sprouts included-are not "goitrogenic" in the sense of causing goiter whenever they are consumed, or even when they are consumed in excess. In fact, most foods that are commonly called "goitrogenic"-such as the cruciferous vegetables (including broccoli, kale, and cauliflower) and soyfoods-do not interfere with thyroid function in healthy persons even when they are consumed on a daily basis. Nor is it scientifically correct to say that foods "contain goitrogens," at least not if you are thinking about goitrogens as a category of substances like proteins, carbohydrates, or vitamins. With respect to the health of our thyroid gland, all that can be contained in a food are nutrients that provide us with a variety of health benefits but which, under certain circumstances, can also interfere with thyroid function. The term "goitrogenic food" makes it sound as if something is wrong with the food, but that is simply not the case. What causes problems for certain individuals is not the food itself but the mismatched nature of certain substances within the food to their unique health circumstances. - George Mateljan from The World's Healthiest Foods
Monday, February 14, 2011
Norah Jones - Chasing Pirates
All I know is I WANT THIS HAIRCUT!!!!.. I wish I had big ole' cojones to cut my hair and try something new... and if I did... I would cut it like this.... how adorable???? LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Saturday, February 05, 2011
My fish tank...
What's up Red???
Soooooo... I was feeling wild and crazy and decided to get something BOLD done to my hair for New Years Eve this year... and this is how it ended up!!!! ha ha ... I told my hairdresser I wanted some red... and some brown... and POOF... as you all know if you have ever died your hair red... the red is gone already... it washes out...
Thursday, February 03, 2011
I made Shrimp Ceviche... and it was unbelievably great!
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