Oatmeal is one of those foods where you can have it everyday, yet it can be different because there are so many options in what to add to it. Oatmeal is a very healthy breakfast.

Here are a few facts about oatmeal and why you should include it in your weekly breakfast:

• Lowers Cholesterol Levels
• Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
• Prevents Heart Failure
• Significant Cardiovascular Benefits for Postmenopausal Women
• Enhances Immune Response to Infection
• Stabilizes Blood Sugar
• Lowers Type 2 Diabetes Risk
• Antioxidant Benefits
• Fiber from Whole Grains and Fruit Protective against Breast Cancer

To read more click here.

Oatmeal is also an excellent source of vitamin B complex. Vitamin B is essential for normal functioning of nervous system.

Oatmeal also contains important nutrient like vitamin E, iron, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium and thiamine , which helps in growth of bone, teeth and muscle.

Vitamin E prevents blood clotting and act as antioxidant. This vitamin removes harmful free radicals from body that damages cells of body. These free radicals are responsible for aging.

Oatmeal also contains important micro nutrient zinc. Zinc is essential constituent of many enzymes and is required for metabolism and stabilization of nucleic acid. Zinc also associated with healing of wound, growth, reproduction and glucose tolerance of human body.

You are better off avoiding the prepackaged flavored oatmeal as it is full of sugars that suppress the health benefits that oatmeal has to offer. Instead add your own “flavor” to your oatmeal like fruit, honey, nuts, raisins, real maple syrup, agave necter or cinnamon. Lastly, to save a few dollars buy it in bulk at Henry’s, WholeFoods, People’s or where ever they many have the bulk bins.

This blog post was requested by a very good friend of mine. Her new favorite nut is the pistachio nut.

A lot of people don’t eat enough nuts in their diet. Many think they are high in calories and fat, but don’t let that stop you from eating them. They are a great source of healthy fat (mono and poly saturated fat) and a great source of protein.  They are also known to be high in magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.  Potassium is known to regulate muscle contractions, transmission of nerve impulses and assist in maintaining healthy blood presume levels. Potassium can also be found in bananas and oranges.  Pistachios are also a fairly good source for vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is important because it helps brain function and is known to help the body to convert protein into energy. Recommendation for vitamin B6 is 1.6 mg for women and 2 mg for men a day.

The down side to pistachios is that they are super high in sodium. The right amount of sodium can be  healthy especially for those of us who exercise and need to replace the salt that is lost through sweating.  If you don’t work out often or are watching your sodium intake try looking for the pistachios that are unsalted. They still offer all the great health benefits.

I found this website that has some more interesting facts and health benefits about pistachios. I encourage you to check it out:  http://www.pistachiohealth.com

Merry Christmas! I will keep this short so you can get back to opening presents!

5 Healthy Holiday Foods

Yams are high in vitamin C, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese; while being low in saturated fat and sodium

Green beans are an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin A, dietary fiber, potassium, folate, and iron

Nuts are the best plant source of protein not to mention they are rich in fiber, phytonutrients and antioxidants like as vitamin E and selenium

Whole Grains (stone ground wheat, oats, brown rice) are a good source of B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, iron and fiber

Homemade Mulled Apple Cider is high in antioxidants, but be careful, you are better off eating an apple than drinking many cups of apple cider since apple cider is concentrated