Farmers' Market Anyone?

Healthier Produce is catching on......

I am really glad that the Ministry of Agriculture, its marketing agency NAMDEVCO and independent farmers' cooperatives are increasing awareness of the existence of fresh organic produce and by products that are healthier choices for families in Trinidad and Tobago. Just in case you did not know, here are a few spots in Trinidad.

1. St Antonio Green Market 

This market concept is based on providing customers with naturally grown crops, exotic fruits, plants, entertainment,  really great food and preserves made fresh with little or no preservatives. I visited many times and there's always some event going on at the Green market like the upcoming event below

St. Antonio Green Market is located off the saddle road, Santa Cruz. Opening hours are: Saturdays 6am - 1pm and Sundays 8am-1pm

2. NAMDEVCO Initiatives

As a way to make fresh produce more accessible to the public, NAMDEVCO - The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation, has roving green markets outside of the traditional market spots in Trinidad. Recently, they had a green market in the Queens Park Savannah where nearby customers could have purchased fresh produce. This is such a novel and nice idea to have roving markets particularly for those without vehicles.  Well done NAMDEVCO!!

You can visit their website via www.namdevco.com to see what initiatives they have and whether they are in your neighborhood. 

3. U Pick Farm

This concept is a novel one. This farm in Chaguaramas cultivates select crops and advertises when crops are ready to be picked. Customers can visit the farm, walk with their bags and pick their produce right off the tree! I like that! Will visit soon.

U Pick Farm is located Tucker Valley Road, Chaguaramas, Trinidad. 

They can be contacted via (868) 271 - 2681

The hours of operation are Tuesday to Saturday from 7am - 2pm and on Sundays from 9am - 2pm.

To Health & Vitality!

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Skin Care Reloaded

Putting back the "Care" in  SkinCare

I have a quick question?

If you could get your hands on reasonably priced naturally good skincare products for you and your family, delivered to your door, will you be interested in purchasing them right here in Trinidad and Tobago?

Triniorganics is researching skin care products that are natural or organic in nature and reasonably priced to make available in T&T!!!!

The sad truth is that most times we buy skin care products based on commercials or recommendations and we don't have a clue what's in it. Recently I purchased a body cream and these were some of the ingredients: 

1. Glyceryl Stearate,

2. Isoproplyl Palmitate,

3. Tetrasodium EDTA....

Are these ingredients healthy for my skin?Ummm...I don't have a clue!

While I agree that you don't have to totally switched to organically derived products, we owe it to ourselves to know what's in our products and to ensure that they are safe for our bodies.

3 DIVINE organic skin care brands I have used and will endorse are: 

EO Line of Products

Jason Line of Products

NOW line of Products

Hopefully, Triniorganics hopes to make these available soon!

If you know of other fantastic body care brands that are naturally good for you, do share with me!

See Ya!

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The Big "C"

Let's talk about Cancer Prevention

So let's face it....We eat healthy and exercise to give our bodies the fuel it needs to support our hectic lifestyles, provide us with energy, fight off illnesses and viruses and increase our longevity.

It is a known fact that given the pace of industrialization, most of our foods are NOT in their natural state when we pick them up at the green grocer or supermarket but they are riddled with preservatives, artificial flavorings, artificial coloring and other additives that can in fact harm our bodies.

So what does healthy eating have to do with Cancer?  EVERYTHING

According to the Center of Disease Control in the United States, chronic diseases and conditions—such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and arthritis—are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems. So if these diseases are caused by lifestyle factors, then there are tons of things we can do to prevent them.

Some Tips: 

1. Strive to have a more alkaline diet by incorporating more fruits and veggies into your diet. If you can get organic ...great but if not, wash properly to remove any pesticide residue.

2. Keep Hydrated and use water to flush out your kidneys - one suggested approach is to drink 1/2 ounce - 1 ounce per pound of body weight.

3. Drink more herbal teas such as black teas and green teas that have antioxidant properties

4. Educate yourself about the content of foods and snacks you would regularly consume that might be cancer forming in your body. Check the following videos and eat smart!

                                                        

Eat Smart. Exercise. Live Healthier

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Brain Food Anyone?

Busy Life Syndrome

 

Looks familiar?

It just seems like life has become so much busier and our bodies seem unable to maintain our constant pace and hectic lifestyles.

If you are a parent, have a demanding job or two, belong to an association or club, you're studying and you are constantly on the go....then you can surely relate to the pictures above.

We are up then out of the house, sometimes we don't eat right, exercise, drink sufficient water or relax enough. How then can we equip our bodies to keep up with our pace? Here's 9 easy snack items that can give you that extra mental boost when life is extra busy.

1. Blueberries

Studies show that blueberries boost “concentration and memory” for up to five hours because “the antioxidants in blueberries stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain.  

2. Green tea

Green tea helps you focus for two reasons: one, it contains caffeine, and two, it contains l’theanine. There is no doubt that caffeine helps you focus and improves your alertness. Good. That’s covered. Well, what the hell is l’theanine? It’s an ingredient that’s been shown to “increase alpha-wave activity”, which increases tranquility and releases caffeine more slowly, instead of all at once, which can lead to you crashing. The two ingredients also combine to “produce a better ability to focus attention, with improvement of both speed and accuracy”.

3. Avocados

According to WebMD, “every organ in the body depends on blood flow, especially the heart and brain”, and avocados “[enhance] blood flow, offering a simple, tasty way to fire up brain cells”. Avocados are also “loaded with fiber (11 to 17 grams per avocado), which helps keep hunger pangs at bay”.

4. Leafy green vegetables

Leafy green vegetables are full of antioxidants and carotenoids, which boost your brain power, and help protect your brain. (A good, general tip: the greener a leaf vegetable is, the better.) Leafy green vegetables are also full of B-vitamins, which are “proven to help your memory, focus, and overall brain health and power”. They also contain folic acid, which improves your mental clarity.

5. Fatty fish

Fatty/oily fish contains omega-3 fatty acids which “aid memory, mental performance and behavioral function”. People who are deficient in omega-3’s are more likely to have “poor memory, mood swings, depression and fatigue”. Fish has also been proven to improve your concentration and mood. The main sources of fatty fish are “salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards and kipper”.

6. Water

If you want to improve your focus, you need to drink enough water. Water “gives the brain the electrical energy for all brain functions, including thought and memory processes”, and it has been proven to help you “think faster, be more focused, and experience greater clarity and creativity”. Every single function of your body depends on water, so it is critically important that you get enough of it.

7. Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate (not the sugary, milky kind) can help you focus for a number of reasons. First, it contains a small amount of caffeine, which has been proven to heighten mental alertness. Dark chocolate contains magnesium, which helps you de-stress, and it also stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin, which make you feel good and heighten your mood. This doesn’t mean you should eat a huge brick of chocolate every day but smaller doses can significantly boost your focus.

8. Flax seeds

Like a few of the foods listed already, flax seeds are high in magnesium, B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber, all of which aid with mental clarity, weight loss, and ultimately, focus. Flax is no doubt a super food. Just make sure you grind them after you buy them (so your body can digest them). Unlike the other items on this list, flax seeds can’t be eaten alone, but they’re great sprinkled on cereal, yogurt, oatmeal, salad, and more.

9. Nuts

Nuts are great for your body in the long-term. “Nuts and seeds are good sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which is associated with less cognitive decline as you age”, and you just need an ounce of them a day to get this benefit. They’re also rich with essential oils and amino acids that aid your focus.

To Good Health!!!

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Wine Not?

Wine - Why not to worry [so much] about Sulfites  

I love Wine,  in small quantities....A glass after a fantastic meal wraps it up perfectly or an afternoon drink after a hard day's work makes me feel so much better. I am not one to finish the bottle in one sitting....Wine should be savored.

But like everything these days, I wonder if Wine is still healthy for you, with all the news about SULFITES so I did some research and here's what I found:

Why are sulfites in wine?

Very simply, sulfites are a preservative to wine, which is a volatile food product (ever open a wine and it’s bad by the next day?). Wineries have been using sulfur around wine for a long time, as far back as the Roman times. 

Back in Roman times, winemakers would burn candles made of sulfur in empty wine containers (called Amphora) to keep the wines from turning to vinegar. Sulfur started to be used in winemaking (instead of just cleaning wine barrels) in the early 1900’s to stop bacteria and other yeasts from growing. It also helps in the extraction of pigments in wine, making red wines ‘redder’.

Some interesting facts about Sulfites and Wines:

• About 5-10% of people with Asthma have severe Sulfite Sensitivity and some of the reactions include body swelling and migraine headaches.

• Depending on the production method, style and color of the wine, the sulfites in wine ranged from no-added Sulphur (sulphur naturally occurs in the process of wine-making 10-40 parts per million (PPM). Added Sulfites can take it up to 350 PPM

• Many dry Red Wines have 50 PPM.

• Wines with more color need less sulfur than clear wines

• Wines with higher sugar content need more sulfur to prevent secondary fermentation of the sugar.

• Wines that are warmer in temperature releases free sulfur compounds (a sulfur smell you get at times when you open a bottle of wine). This can be fixed by decanting the wine or chilling it for 15 - 30 minutes.

• Interestingly, other food items have more sulfur in them and if you do not have a reaction to these, chances are Wine drinking should be okay for you (See the chart below)

Should I be concerned about sulfites in wine?

If you have sensitivity to foods, you should absolutely try to eliminate sulfites from your diet. Eliminating wine could be necessary. Perhaps start your sulfur witch hunt with the obvious culprits (like processed foods) before you write-off wine.

OR

There's a fantastic little gadget call ULLO that can purify the wine by extracting the sulfites before you consume the wine....things are looking up. Learn more about Ullo here: 

https://ullowine.com/pages/our-story#story-intro

Sources
http://www.picse.net/CD2011/equilibrium/equilibriumAndSO2.html
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/securit/2012-allergen_sulphites-sulfites/index-eng.php
Sulfur used in Roman wines mentioned in: Beckmann and Johnston et al. A History of Inventions and Discoveries (1846)
http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FS/FS-52-W.pdf
http://waterhouse.ucdavis.edu/whats-in-wine/sulfites-in-wine
http://www.learningtarget.com/nosulfites/sensitive.htm
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-risks-sulfur-dioxide-dried-fruits-3921.html
http://www.meatupdate.csiro.au/sulphur-dioxide.pdf

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Make Greener Air!

MAKING YOUR AIR GREENER!

So, unless you happen to live nearby some luscious farmland or countryside with lots of trees and foliage that cleans the air you breathe....you are expose to contaminated air from vehicles, factories and nearby industrial activity common with "Urban" Living. 

And we'd hope that when you retreat to your homes, "Your Sanctuary" it is less toxic and more refreshing.....Well ....Not always...excessive moisture, dust build-up paints, detergents and synthetic fibers are some of the common culprits of indoor air pollution. Here are some things you can consider to make the air that you breathe "greener" at home.

1. Eliminate the Culprits

Use "eco-friendly" detergents and paints to minimize pollutants. choose all-natural alternatives if they are available

2. Have plants indoors

House plants are a fantastic ways to purify the air in your home as it absorbs chemicals and pollutants found in the air. Some good choices are: 

Snake Plant or "Mother in Law Tongue" :) 

 Spider Plant  English Ivy 

3. Beeswax Candles

If you like to burn candles for natural light, avoid paraffin candles which release petroleum byproducts into the air. Beeswax burns clean and offers the added benefit of ionizing air to neutralize toxic compounds.

4. Salt Lamps

Himalayan pink salt is another natural ionic air purifier that pull toxins from the environment and neutralizes them. Add an Himalayan Pink Salt Lamp to any room in your home or office...they're gorgeous...check out mine..opted for clean air rather than scented...lol!

5. Activated Charcoal

Another great way to purify your air indoor is with activated charcoal. Also called active carbon or simply carbon, it is odorless and highly absorptive. 

I bought my lamp at Be Free Organic Supermarket on Mucurapo Road and there are a number of other healthy shops and organic shops across Trinidad and Tobago, where you can get these products or purchase them online on Amazon.com

To Healthy Living!!!

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Healthy Tummies...Healthy Kids!!!!

SCHOOL'S OUT - YIPPIE!!!

This is perhaps the best time of the year for Kids....School's out! 

Lots of fun time and food awaits....

In case, you're thinking....what am I preparing for the kids during school vacation, here's some healthy yet delicious treats and snack ideas to keep our youngsters hydrated, nourished and healthy!!!

1. Popsicles  & Smoothies

Popsicles are easy to make and you can really get creative with the ingredients. You can start with a juice base such as pineapple or grape juice and get wild with added fruits, blend and freeze or leave some chunks of fruit in it for that burst of fruity flavor!

Again, Smoothies are a definite winner every time and your kids will love them. Blend berries, bananas or any other sweet fruit and serve chilled.

2. Fresh Fruit flowers or kebabs...Yum Yum

Kids are attracted to colors so combine fruits of varying tastes, textures and colors for a fruity surprise!!! Place sliced fruits on skewers and chill before serving.

3. Sucker Bags   

 You're not a Trinidadian if you do not know what a sucker bag is....lol. Same fun stuff like fruits or a milk base drink is poured into a bag, sealed and freezed for a couple of hours. After a marathon session on the playground, nothing is as, thirst quenching as a Sucker Bag made of Soursop juice, Guava Juice, chocolate milk or sweetened vanilla milk!!!

4. Fruit Chows - Although fruits are great straight out of the skin, Trinidadians must spice things up so "CHOWS" are a great treat for kids. Any citrus fruit will do - chennet, mango, plum or pineapple...simply cut up the fruit, add some drops of lime juice, sprinkle a bit of salt, pepper and crushed shadon beni (Cilantro) and voila!!!! - A zesty treat that can't be beat! 

Let's keep our kids healthy....Reduce the packed snacks and let's grab some healthy fruit snacks for this July/ August School vacation.

What was your favourite snack as a child?

share with us ....Leave a comment below!

See Ya!!!

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New Habits Anyone?

What's your new Healthy Habit?

So I traveled last month and I bought two really interesting books. They're my typical buy - self development books. My current readings are....

 I personally think that we are all 'OKAY!' don't get me wrong, but someone's life story or eureka moment that sparks greatness or lesson learnt can TOTALLY shift you from just OK to a better YOU! So I love to read self development books because hey....I pick up new and positive inspiration that prompts me to be a better ME!!!!

And spurred on by my reading, I got to thinking....

What ONE new thing could I do...daily...diligently...from July 1, 2016 that can significantly improve my Health....12 months from now?

So as I document my journey, I want to hear from YOU.

Is there one simple thing, A HEALTHY HABIT, that you can adopt today and do diligently every day that will make a GREAT difference in your HEALTH?

For me, it is actually two new things.....

1. Meditation

2. Drink the Right Amount of Water each Day

Please hit me up a "Comment" below and let me know if you want to join me in forming 1 new healthy habit for 2016?

Just in case, you don't know where to start, check below ....

Join the journey!
Let me know which New Healthy you choose Today

Leave a Comment and Share this post with others!!

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Wished The Wax wasn't there

Indeed everything has a price!

If I want fresh apples and pears and I don't have unrestricted access to a nearby Orchard (An impossibility in Trinidad), then my only resort is to buy waxed imported fruits from the fruit vendor!!!!

So doing a bit of research on whether waxed fruits are safe to eat, I discovered the following: 

• Some fruits naturally produce their own wax such as Pears, Plums and Apples.
• This naturally occurring wax is digestible and non toxic (of course)
• The naturally occurring wax helps the fruits retain its moisture, firmness and retards spoiling after it is picked

So why then, are producers adding more Wax?

You guessed Correctly !!!!! - So fruits can have a longer shelf life

Is this added wax which is called "Food Grade" wax safe for humans????

Personally, I think NOT!!!

My quick and dirty research into what the wax is made up revealed two common types of wax that are used: 

• Shellac - wax made from female Lac Bug (eh?)
• Carnauba - wax made from the Carnauba palm 

Most medical sites state that the wax should NOT be digested but scraped off or washed off with vinegar. The Food and Drug Administration in the US says its "Food Grade" and safe....Who do you believe????

Since we are never really sure if "Food Grade" is "Healthy" just like "Food Grade Coloring" in foods,  I'll stick to peeling off the skin or scrubbing that WAX off my fruit!!!

OH!!!!  Even Better.....Trinidadians have access to many seasonal local fruit which (Thankfully....Hopefully???) are not waxed such as Guavas, Sapodilla and Mangoes.....Fruitylicious!!!!

 

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Body Brushing

DRY BRUSHING

Hello Folks!!!

I am doing a quick Poll, Do you know about Dry Brushing and if so, do you practice Dry Brushing??? Please let me know in the comment section below!

So healthy living is all about being aware and making better choices about what we feed our bodies, what we put on it, how to improve our defenses against pollutants in our environment and what things we can do daily to support our health.

I will like to talk about Dry Brushing...

Dry Brushing is a technique where you brush your entire body with a brush. You are not doing it in the shower...you are brushing your body while it is dry.

Why?

Well there's lot of benefits of Dry Brushing as illustrated in the chart below.

So now that you have the benefits, just buy any brush and dry brush??? NO!

You want to purchase a wooden brush with natural bristles such as Boar bristles. The bristles should not be plastic and the bristles should not be very stiff or it won't be effective. 

These are the brushes I use to Dry Brush....

I use the long one for my back and the handheld one for the front of my body! What I love about Dry Brushing is that, it energizes me and it drains my lymphatic system. And what's there not to love about reducing Cellulite - Count me in!

Remember: 

• Do it daily! - At least once a day
• Do it before you take a shower - only 4 minutes to Dry Brush
• It feels a bit itchy at first as your lymph nodes get agitated but after a number of times, it's addictive!
• The brushing sequence is important, brushing direction must always be towards the heart

Check out the graphic below for the brushing flow....start from your toes and work your way up!

To Good Health - Start Dry Brushing Today!

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