Coconut Bread

Coconut Bread

I've tried several versions of coconut bread, but they all came out very dry.  This one was moist and delicious.

Ingredients

3/4 c organic coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 c raw organic coconut oil, liquified
1 tbs cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tbs raw apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 organic eggs,  separated
2 tbs raw honey
2 tbs dried, organic unsweetened coconut flakes

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a standard loaf pan.  Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.

2 Mix together coconut flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl.

3. Add in coconut oil and honey and stir until well blended and smooth.

4  Separate eggs, beat egg whites until stiff and reserve.  Add egg yolks to batter, along with vanilla and apple cider vinegar.

5  Working quickly, gently fold in egg whites.  Pour batter into loaf pan, sprinkle coconut flakes on top if desired.

6  Bake about 40 minutes.

Yummy Roasted Cauliflower

Golden Roasted Cauliflower

This is a delicious recipe from my colleague Rebecca Katz's new cookbook, "The Longevity Kitchen."  As she would say, "yum!"

Roasting cauliflower completely transforms it into a candy-like delight that yields to a gentle fork. The spices—cumin, coriander, and turmeric—really make this dish sing. Turmeric has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, and holds promise for maintaining (and possibly improving) brain health.

Golden Roasted Cauliflower. Photo: The Longevity Kitchen

Serves 4

1 medium head of cauliflower (about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds) cut into 1 1/2 inch florets (about 8 cups)
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley or cilantro

Place the rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Toss the cauliflower with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, turmeric and garlic. Spread the cauliflower mixture in an even layer on the prepared pan. Bake until the cauliflower is golden and tender, about 25 to 35 minutes. Toss with spritz with fresh lemon juice and parsley or cilantro.

Variations: If you’re not in a spicy mood, omit the spices and toss the cauliflower with olive, salt and pepper. You’ll love how sweet this vegetable tastes after its oven “sauna.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes
Storage: Store refrigerated in airtight container for 2 days

Notes: Chopping cauliflower releases enzymes that increase the bioavailability of its nutrients. Delaying cooking for 5-10 minutes after cutting helps insure that heat won’t destroy these enzymes’ effectiveness. Also, the enzymes need Vitamin C to activate, which can be accomplished with a hit of lemon or lime juice.

---

You Are What You Eat - Even the Tiniest Bites

 Sometimes you just can't resist a tiny piece of chocolate cake. Even the most health-conscious eaters find themselves indulging in junk foods from time to time. New research by scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) raises the striking possibility that even small amounts of these occasional indulgences may produce significant changes in gene expression that could negatively impact physiology and health.  On a positive note, even small amounts of a very healthy food, such as broccoli, can significantly impact health.

"Healthier Hormones with Diet and Exercise

The links between body weight, lifestyle and the risks of developing cancer and other chronic diseases are not yet understood in every detail. However, changes in hormonal signaling are believed to be among the culprits of these processes. "Adipose tissue produces various hormones which have a great impact on metabolism," says Prof. Dr. Cornelia Ulrich. "The important ones are anti-inflammatory adiponectin, which increases the effect of insulin, and leptin, which can promote tumor cell growth.

Do body weight and exercise also affect production of these key adipose tissue hormones? Cornelia Ulrich, departmental head at DKFZ and director of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, analyzed this in a randomized controlled study with 439 overweight postmenopausal women (> 50 years). Study participants were divided into three "intervention groups" (diet; exercise; diet+exercise) as well as a control group. These groups were watched intensively over a period of one year so that the results obtained are particularly valuable.

"Our hypothesis was that particularly a combination of physical activity and weight loss should result in a more favorable relation of the two hormone levels," said Cornelia Ulrich. Leptin production decreased in all three intervention groups, most noticeably (up to 40 percent) in the diet+exercise group. By contrast, adiponectin production increased most in women who were on a reduced calorie diet only.

Irrespective of the type of intervention, the positive effect on hormone production was dependent on the degree of weight loss: The more kilos a study participant had lost, the more her adiponectin levels increased and the more her leptin levels decreased. "We observed the greatest changes in women who had lost ten percent of their initial body weight," says Dr. Clare Abbenhardt, first author of the study. "Some of these participants reached a 20 percent increase in adiponectin levels and their leptin decreased by more than 50 percent."

Leptin production appears to be influenced by mere changes of body composition, because in the exercise intervention group, participants gained muscle mass also without losing weight.

"We now have a better understanding of the mechanisms by which weight loss and training protect from chronic diseases. The health-promoting effect of adiponectin is regarded as established by numerous studies now. Lower leptin levels, on the other hand, offer less growth incentives for tumor cells. Therefore, we are now able to give well-founded recommendations to women how they can positively influence these two important metabolic regulators," says Cornelia Ulrich, "by keeping a healthy body weight and getting more exercise!"

Visceral Fat Linked to Intestinal Cancer

Visceral fat, or fat stored deep in the abdominal cavity, is directly linked to an increased risk for colon cancer, according to data from a mouse study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

I Love SmartyPants!

SMARTYPANTS VITAMINS TO ADD A TASTY BOOST

OF NUTRITION AT INTEGRATIVE HEALTH SYMPOSIUM

-SmartyPants, the only complete all-in-one gummy vitamins for children, adults and

weight management, to introduce what 'O' The Oprah Magazine calls "the good for you

gum drop" to integrative medicine professionals at Hilton New York, Feb. 27-March 2-

          LOS ANGELES - Leading vitamin creator, SmartyPants is bringing its great-tasting, all-in-one gummy multivitamins with essential Omega3s and Vitamin D to one of America's most prestigious forums for professionals in integrative medicine, Feb. 27 to March 2, 2013, at the Hilton New York.

          "We are delighted to offer a delicious taste of California’s sparkling, good nutrition in the only gummy vitamin that combines the vitamins and minerals your body requires, and what the USDA defends you should have every day," exclaimed Courtney Nichols Gould. Gould is acclaimed Co-CEO and Co-Founder of SmartyPants, makers of SmartyPants for Kids, SmartyPants for GrownUps and SmartyPants for Weight ManagementAll-in-One Multivitamins with Omega3s and Vitamin D. 

          SmartyPants will be located at Booth 325 in the event exhibition hall.  Sponsored by Beth Israel Medical Center's Continuum Center for Health and Healing, the Integrative Healthcare Symposium brings together multidisciplinary healthcare professionals who are dedicated to improving patient care and defining the future of integrative healthcare.

          Newest addition to the growing SmartyPants lineup is SmartyPants Weight Management gummy multivitamins.   According to research studies, diets high in fiber recommended for adults suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular disease, elevated cholesterol and other conditions are also likely to help control weight gain.  Nutrition experts say the problem is most men and women don't get enough fiber from the food they eat every day.  SmartyPants has simplified the process and made it easy to add fiber that can help maintain weight with a great-tasting, all-in-one gummy that combines a full multivitamin with essential Omega3s and Vitamin D in one serving. 

          SmartyPants Weight Management gummy multivitamins create a feeling of fullness that can help reduce one's appetite.  They also promote digestive health and regularity, and can help stimulate friendly, healthy, beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.

          There's no caffeine or artificial stimulants in SmartyPants Weight Management gummy multivitamins.  They're delicious and contain only three grams of sugar from natural sweeteners per daily serving of six gummy vitamins.  

          "We designed SmartyPants Weight Management All-in-Ones to be a solution for the millions of adults who want to add healthy fiber to their diet and simplify maintaining their weight,"

explained Nichols Gould.  She pointed out that SmartyPants Weight Management gummy vitamins are an excellent source of Vitamins D3, C, B6, and B12, Omega 3 DHA and EPA, Folic Acid and Zinc.     

SmartyPants Gummy vitamins are made only with natural colors, flavors, and organic sweeteners. There's no high fructose corn syrup, no dyes or artificial flavors, and SmartyPants gummy vitamins are both gluten- and casein-free.  Naturally flavored in delectable strawberry, orange and lemon, they are made in a GMP-certified and FDA-compliant facility in California.  Every batch is tested for purity and nutrient density by a third party lab.

Nichols Gould noted that SmartyPants' mission is to help not only their own customers, but kids everywhere who need but can’t afford the critical nutrients for their development. “SmartyPants set a goal to make a one-for-one matching nutrient grant to children in need and expecting mothers both in the U.S. and abroad, to help them get the start in life everyone deserves."   

          Endorsed by leading healthcare providers across the country, SmartyPants Gummy Vitamins are available online atwww.smartypantsvitamins.com as well as many fine retailers on and offline.  The website contains a wealth of information about SmartyPants and nutrition. 

Curcumin and Omega-3 DHA-A Powerful Combination to Fight Breast Cancer

Curcumin is the trio of “curcuminoids” pigments in turmeric root … which gives curry spice blends their characteristic yellow-orange color.

 

Lab experiments and preliminary clinical studies indicate that this synergistic trio supports immune and brain health in uniquely powerful ways.

 

And earlier this month, the authors of a review paper painted this positive picture of the substantial clinical evidence on curcumin:

“Extensive clinical trials over the past quarter century have addressed the … efficacy of [curcumin and] promising effects have been observed in patients with various pro-inflammatory diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis … [and more than 25 others]. (Gupta SC et al. 2013).

 

(Note: The curcumin in most curcumin supplements is very poorly absorbed …so make sure you check with a health care professional who can recommend a nutraceutical brand.)

 

Omega-3 DHA – one of the two omega-3s (DHA and EPA) found in fish – displays consistent, substantial anti-cancer effects in lab (test tube and animal) studies.

 

This experiment’s hopeful outcomes may help explain the many studies linking fish-rich diets to lower cancer risks.  Specifically, the researchers tested omega-3 DHA, which is essential to human survival and to brain, eye, and immune-system health.  The Indiana experiment's outcomes suggests that alone, DHA and curcumin curb the growth of various breast cancers.  And together, DHA and curcumin curbed the growth of one common type of breast cancer more effectively than either agent alone.