CanDrugStore Health Blog

January 28, 2011

Quinoa: A Rising Health Food Star

Filed under: healthy eating — Tags: Health, healthy diet, healthy eating, healthy living, nutrition, weight loss — bstacey @ 10:23 pm

Have you made a New Year resolution to eat more consciously? It can be challenging to start eating healthy food. Part of this adventure may include incorporating new foods into your diet. If this is part of your healthy eating plan, you may want to check out the new superfood on the scene: quinoa.

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wa) is the seed of a plant called Chenopodium. Chenopodium is related to plants such as beets, chard, and spinach, and its greens can be eaten. However, it is its seeds that are fast gaining popularity and recognition for their health benefits.

Though a relatively recent introduction to North America, quinoa has long been cultivated by indigenous people living in the Andean Mountains of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. So what makes quinoa so great? Quinoa is an excellent source of nutrition. It contains all 8 essential amino acids, making it a rare example of a complete protein found in the plant world and a good choice for vegetarian and vegan diets. Quinoa is particularly high in lysine, an amino acid that is important for tissue growth and repair. The seed contains a good whack of the minerals magnesium, iron, copper, and phosphorous. These minerals may help ease the symptoms of migraines, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Quinoa is a source of dietary fiber, which has been shown to reduce the risks of heart disease, colon cancer, and obesity. It is gluten-free and can be used in place of wheat, oats, and other grains. Quinoa is therefore a very good choice for those with celiac disease symptoms.

Quinoa can be found in many regular grocery stores, bulk food stores, at natural food stores. Though its beige and yellow varieties are most common, you can also find red quinoa, and pink, orange, and black colors of the seed. Its flavor has been described as “nutty,” with the seed itself having a creamy texture and its tail a slightly crunchy one when cooked. It is somewhat comparable to couscous or rice.

Quinoa is easy-to-cook and there are many quinoa recipes available such as salad recipes and for breakfast quinoa. When cooking with quinoa, it is best to wash the seeds well to remove the saponins that coat the seeds. It can be cooked in the same way as rice, (one-part grain to two-parts liquid) and there are even recipes for delicious-looking quinoa chocolate cake out there! Creativity and experimentation are what eating well is all about, and quinoa is one super-food you shouldn’t go without. Here’s to a healthy 2011!

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August 24, 2010

Lead By Example and Get Your Kids Active

Filed under: exercise — Tags: child obesity, children, exercise, Health, healthy diet, kids, nutrition, obesity — John @ 6:03 pm

I still remember when I was younger, I used to play outside with my friends until the streetlights came on, and even then we sometimes stayed out even later. I used to and still do love hockey, and I remember when my dad taught me the power of the slap shot. What many of today’s parents seem to forget is that they have to lead by example when it comes to getting their kids active. Even if your kid refuses to admit it, they look to their parents as role models and base a lot of their behavior after what they see and hear. Parents need to start going outside and making exercise fun for children again.

It may seem like a lot of work sometimes, but part of being a parent is spending time with your child or children. Simply going outside and teaching your kid how to ride a bike can be extremely beneficial. You get some quality bonding time in with your child, and you teach your child the importance of physical exercise. Maybe one day, you can take your kid on a day trip to go biking. If you’re not too into biking, go toss a ball around in the backyard. Your child will quickly pick up that sports, and exercising for that matter, can be really fun. This is a crucial first step in ensuring your child can maintain his or her health further on into the future.

Next time you’re sitting at home and see your kid has been sitting inside for hours playing on the X-Box or sitting at the computer, ask them to come outside and throw that baseball around. Your child is guaranteed to benefit from the activity and you may just establish a closer relationship with your son or daughter.

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July 12, 2010

Obesity Camps for Teens in the UAE

Filed under: obesity — Tags: exercise, Health, healthy diet, natural weight loss, nutrition, obesity, overweight, weight loss — John @ 9:42 pm

Teenagers in the United Arab Emirates who are over 90kg’s are being asked by the government to participate in anti-obesity camps. While in these camps, teens are expected to lose 1kg every week during the 1 month program. The teens will be put on a strict calorie-controlled diet and exercise program, and they will receive lectures about obesity every 4 days.

I still haven’t decided if this is too extreme, especially for teenagers, or maybe it’s what we need to do. Obesity is becoming a very serious problem, and nowhere is this more apparent than the United States. In the United States, obesity related illnesses are costing the nation $147 billion every year. Maybe it’s time for some new, drastic, changes in obesity prevention.

I would like to know what the results will be like for the camps in the UAE. If they work, then maybe we can adapt a similar program here in North America. If the level of obesity experiences a drop, it may lead to some lower taxes or health care prices. Not to mention you’ll add years to your life. Regardless of how well these camps work, something needs to be done about the obesity epidemic in the United States.

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June 10, 2010

5 Foods that Help Build Muscle

Filed under: healthy diet — Tags: diet, exercise, healthy diet, healthy eating, muscle, muscle building, recovery — John @ 11:09 pm

Many of us strive to reach the look of some of our favorite celebrities, but very few ever achieve that goal. We try new, sometimes unhealthy or even downright dangerous diets, in order to look like the people often seen in magazines and on television.

However, this is often impossible, as people in magazines often have their pictures changed digitally and we have to go to work in order to support ourselves and our families. While getting rock hard celebrity abs isn’t always possible, there are certain foods you can eat that will help you build muscle faster.

Eggs – A great source of protein can be found in eggs. Not to mention, there are vitamins and nutrients in eggs that help you stay healthy.
Salmon – Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in great supply in salmon. The protein and omega 3 fatty acids will help build muscle and speed up your recovery time.
Almonds – Almonds help prevent free radical damage after you workout which means your muscles should recover faster. Almonds are a great way to help you build muscle because they’re a great snack food and you can just throw them into a zip lock bag and take them just about anywhere with you.
Beef – Probably the most well known source of protein is beef. Beef also contain iron and zinc and help supply energy for your body. Try to look for lean cuts of meat in order to cut down calories.
Water – Considering the majority of your body is made out of water, it makes sense that staying hydrated will help build muscle. If your body is hydrated properly, the process of building muscle, protein synthesis, will occur much more quickly than if you were dehydrated.

The one thing to remember is to always take things in moderation. Having too much or too little of something can actually have negative effects on the body. Try to always eat a balanced and healthy diet in order to keep your body strong. Physical exercise is also key to building muscle. You have to get out there and lift some weights, go on runs, etc in order to actually use these foods. Without exercise you’re just putting more calories into your body without every using the energy they give you.

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