momoffersmore.com - Mom Offers More serves the families of the Croton Harmon and Hendrick Hudson School Districts

Cinnamon

Adding cinnamon to your oatmeal or yogurt can help with your blood sugar.  A sprinkle on your morning meal can help increase your sugar metabolism.

Turmeric

Among a great number of other health benefits, turmeric can reduce inflammation and help you fight fat.  Turmeric may also help lower blood-sugar levels. Turmeric is great on Asian recipes, and gives your food a nice golden color.

Cayenne

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which helps increase your metabolic rate for hours after you consume it.  So, if you're looking for some fat-loss help, make your food hot, hot, hot!

Ginger

Using ginger in stir-fry or really any veggie dish can give the dish a phenomenal flavor. It also improves the digestive process.  Think ginger tea when you or a loved one has a nauseous belly.

Black Pepper

Black pepper stimulates hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid is essential for the digestion of proteins and other foods. Without enough hydrochloric acid, your food can sit in your stomach, causing indigestion, gas and other intestinal abnormalities.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg has antibacterial properties, which means it might be good at killing mouth bacteria that causes cavities. It's also known to aid digestion and relax muscles.
 

by Jennifer Minihan, Local Mom and Body Builder, Dip.C.N. HC AADP

It is very common for me to get the question what is healthy eating?  In truth, eating healthy is very individualistic.  Someone who is a vegetarian may consider eating meat “unhealthy” and someone who eats fish and poultry may consider eating red meat “unhealthy”. When discussing healthy eating for adults and kids, I prefer to talk about guidelines and suggestions rather than a list of do’s and don’ts.

February is National Heart Month.  Heart disease kills an estimated 630,000 Americans each year. It’s the leading cause of death for both men and women.

In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to a heart attack. You can greatly reduce your risk for CAD through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.  I want you to think about your heart and keeping it healthy! No one cares more about your heart than The American Heart Association.  Their new national goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent by the year 2020.  The American Heart Association has defined what it means to have ideal cardiovascular health, identifying seven health and behavior factors that impact health and quality of life.  These are known as “Life’s Simple 7”.  I’ve highlighted them for you below.  For more information on how you can get and stay “Heart Healthy” please visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.