Below is a poem that a very close friend shared with me. I think it’s beautiful.
A leaf, one of the last, parts from a maple branch:
it is spinning in the transparent air of October, falls
on a heap of others, stops, fades. No one
admired its entrancing struggle with the wind,
followed its flight, no one will distinguish it now
as it lies among the other leaves, no one saw what I did.
I am the only one.
A few weeks ago, I tried a small carton of coconut water…completely on a whim. Since then I have been pretty much obsessed with the stuff. I also did some research and here is what I found out:
Coconut water differs from coconut milk. Coconut milk is an ingredient commonly used in Thai cooking…it tends to be white and somewhat thick. Coconut water is the liquid inside of a small, green coconut.
It has the consistency of tap water, with a slight taste of fresh coconut. I’m not a huge fan of coconut flavoring in food, but I really enjoy this.
It is nature’s version of Gatorade, restoring nutrients and minerals to the body. A typical serving provides about 660 mg of sodium, is one of the best sources of potassium in food, and also provides magnesium and calcium. Despite all of the benefits, coconut water has not fat, no calories, and almost no sodium.
It has several uses. I have drank this after a workout to restore fluids and minerals, and in the early morning after a late night out J. It is also just a great refreshing beverage on hot summer days. Try it poured over a little ice…it’s amazing.
Coconut water may sound too good to be true, but it’s not. It’s a great refreshing beverage that is great for your body, provides minerals and nutrients, and tastes amazing. Look for it at your local organic or specialty foods market. I have only tried a few different brands, but so far my favorite is ZICO. They have straight coconut water, and a few mixed with other flavors as well (mango and passion fruit).
The answer is that they are one in the same. Or at least that’s what a recent study has come to suggest. According to a Texas A&M University study, the consumption of watermelon produces the same body responses as the popular erectile-dysfunction drug, Viagra.
The nutrient in watermelon called citrulline relaxes blood vessels in much the same way that Viagra does, though it is not as “organ-specific”. The body converts the citrulline to arginine, an amino acid that has positive benefits for the heart and circulation system as result of boosting the levels of nitric oxide in the body. This in turn relaxes blood vessels, which allows for increased blood flow in the body.
While not organ specific, watermelon can help increase blood flow in the body, with none of the negative side affects associated with taking prescription medications like Viagra. As if you needed another reason to eat watermelon…:)
There are many stages in life…I have been a college student on a budget, and have been a young professional on a budget. Sometime soon, I will most likely become a young couple on a budget, a young family, etc. (you see the pattern…) Being on my own for a few years now has made me a better cook, and have become much more cost-conscious when it comes to the groceries I purchase for myself. I found that I was wasting a lot of money at grocery stores on a fairly regular basis. Some of my favorite items can be expensive, and I lean heavily toward organic meats and produce. Despite this, I found that I could still eat healthy for fairly cheap. Here are some of my favorite affordable items:
Beans and Rice: This is definitely a staple of my diet. Each item by itself is very inexpensive (especially if you get dry beans and cook them yourself), and together they form a complete protein that will substitute for animal protein in your diet.
Guacamole: Easy to make and delicious. The avocado in the recipe I use provides “good” fat for your body. Eat this with pita bread or with chips.
Sardines: I have recently gotten into these. They look gross in the can I’ll admit it. But they taste pretty good, and are an excellent source of fish protein. They also contain far less accumulated mercury than tuna or larger fish.
Eggs: Buy organic eggs and either cook them fresh or hard-boil them. Great source of protein, and you can cook up two or three eggs with only one egg yolk to limit cholestoroal and saturated fat intake. Search your local’s farmers market for eggs around $2/dozen.
Pasta: Inexpensive, easy to make, and good for you. Lean toward the whole wheat varieties if possible. A quick sauce can be made from organic canned tomatoes and spiced up with garlic and other vegetables.
PB&J: A staple of any American child, this classic can be made healthier by using whole wheat bread, and organic peanut butter. Organic jam or fruit preserves are usually available at major grocery stores.
Oatmeal: Super-healthy and really cheap if you make it yourself. Check out this link to make individual oatmeal packets for a fraction of the cost of pre-made oatmeal packets.
Yogurt: Slightly more expensive than other items on this list, organic yogurt aids in digestion, and is easily packed into lunches, or pulled out of the fridge for a quick snack.
Bread with Cheese and Fruit: This is a really easy and inexpensive meal. Get a crusty loaf of bread, a small amount of good cheese, and an apple or some grapes. Eat slowly and enjoy each of these items by themselves or combined. Some of my most memorable meals have been simple loaves of bread, cheese, fruit, and friends!
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