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Healthy Halloween Pumpkin Cookies – Yummm

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Halloween is the time when we have to remember that our kids are not the healthiest in the world and we must protect them from diabetes, obesity and heart disease which are are on the rise among children.

So, I would like to share with you this Healthy Recipe I found at www.foodnetwork.com

Why is it healthy?

Just in case if you don’t know, spices, like ginger and cinnamon boost our immune system helping fight with cold and flu.

Dark molasses are a great substitute for sugar as well as a good source of iron and B vitamins.

As for raisins, they can protect our oral, dental and bone health, be helpful for our vision and beneficial if you have constipation, weight gain or anemia.

Spiced Pumpkin Cookies

Ingredients

2/3 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

3/4 cup canned plain pumpkin puree

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup dark molasses

1 cup raisins

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 3 baking sheets with cooking spray.

Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg in a large bowl.

Whisk pumpkin, brown sugar, oil and molasses in a second bowl until well combined. Stir the wet ingredients and raisins into the dry ingredients until no traces of dry ingredients remain. Drop the batter by level tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies 1 1/2 inches apart.

Bake the cookies until firm to the touch and lightly golden on top, 10 to 12 minutes, switching the pans back to front and top to bottom halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

Bon Appetit!

Don’t forget to breathe, smile and be happy.

Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert

NaturalCounselor.com

Related Articles, Podcast and Video:

Healthy Gingerbread Cookies

Create Your Own Healthy and Delicious Pie

Posted in Benefits of Whole Foods, Headache Migraine Relief, Healthy Recipes, High Blood Pressure Remedies | No Responses »
Tags: Alternative Medicine, Baking, children, Cold, Cooking, Diabetes, family, Flu, Halloween, health, health tips, Healthy and Easy to Make Recipes, Holistic Wellness, home-made facials, Immune System, nutrition, Obesity, Spices

Salmon and Avocado Recipes for Winter Blues

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

It’s winter, it’s cold and dark outside, and it’s time for Seasonal Depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Studies show that people who are affected by SAD don’t have enough vitamin D and have lower level of tryptophan. For some reason more women than men suffer from this disorder.

Here are some healthy recipes to help you deal with seasonal depression: salmon, avocado, sesame seeds are sources of vitamin D and tryptophan.

Baked Salmon with Mushrooms

Ingredients: fish

2 medium onions, sliced
4-6 pieces of salmon (stake)
4 Portobello mushrooms, sliced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tbsp fresh dill

one lemon

salt and pepper

Immunity Boosting Spices Recipe

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put a layer of onions (half) on the bottom of a casserole, then put fish, then put mushrooms and the rest of onions on the top. Put parsley on top, and squeeze the lemon juice over all. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, or until the fish is ready in the middle (test with a knife or fork.). Serve with lemon wedges.

Avocado Salad

Ingredients:

3 avocados, diced

½ cup carrots, chopped

½ cup purple cabbage, diced small

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tbsp parsley, minced

1 tbsp dill chopped

2 tbsp sesame seeds

2 tbsp sesame oil

Juice of 1 lemon

1 pinch of Cayenne pepper

black pepper and salt to taste

Immunity Boosting Spices Recipe

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl thoroughly. Enjoy with crackers, peppers, tomatoes.

Bon Appetit and let us be SAD smart.

I am going to talk more about Seasonal Depression and post different Healthy Recipes to beat it, so stay tuned.

Breathe, smile and be happy.

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert

NaturalCounselor.com

Posted in Benefits of Whole Foods, Healthy Recipes | No Responses »
Tags: Alternative Medicine, Seasonal Depresssion

Is Your Bra Cancer Proof?

Monday, January 19th, 2009

I would like to share with you some studies about bra and breast cancer from the article ” Bras Shown to Cause Cancer” by Sheryl Walters, citizen journalist published in naturalnews.com

Studies show that this is a very real possibility. The reason is that regularly wearing a bra prevents lymph drainage and circulation, which can greatly increase the possibility of developing breast cancer.

The lymphatic and circulatory systems are responsible for both delivering vital nutrients and clearing out toxins. When the body does not have access to nutrients or when it is under the attack of toxins, cancer may develop.

Regular bra wearing decreases the production of melatonin, which is a potent natural antioxidant and the hormone that regulates sleep, boosts the immune system and, incredibly fights aging. Balanced melatonin levels are essential for the body to fight many types of cancer, including breast cancer.

A study published in the European Journal of Cancer studied factors for breast cancer such as breast size and handedness. They discovered that premenopausal women who do not wear bras are less than half as likely to get breast cancer that those who regularly wear a bra. A study conducted by researcher David Moth revealed that even the lightest bras place pressure on the lymphatic system.

Researchers Singer and Grismaijer observed 4,500 women and their bra wearing practices. An amazing 3 out of 4 women who wore their bras 24 hours per day developed breast cancer. Women who wore their bras more than 12 hours per day had a 1 in 7 chance of getting breast cancer. 1 out 152 women who wore their bra less than 12 hours a day got breast cancer and an incredibly low 1 out of 168 women who rarely or never wear a bra developed breast cancer. Read the rest of the article.

Well, as you can see, sometimes we have to read info about researches in Europe and also use common sense. I lost my sister to cancer three years ago, but long -long before that I used to remind her to take her bra off when she was at home and buy them without underwire if possible.

“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them. ” Denis Waitley

So let us be choice smart, shall we?

Breathe, smile and be happy.

Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert

NaturalCounselor.com

Posted in Healthy Recipes, Prevent Cancer | No Responses »
Tags: Alternative Medicine, Breast Cancer, Prevent Cancer

Ayurvedic Immunity Boosting Spice Recipe

Friday, December 5th, 2008

Ingredients

1/4 part ground cinnamon

1 part ground black pepper

1 part ground dry ginger

2 parts ground turmeric

3 parts ground cumin

3 parts ground coriander

6 parts ground fennel

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients and put into a container or a glass jar in a dark cabinet. Every time you cook, prepare this mixture to sprinkle on your vegetables, rice or any dish: sautee one teaspoon of mixture in one tsp of ghee (purified butter; you can find it in Whole Foods or any Health Store) for a couple of minutes until you can smell the aroma, but be careful and don’t burn the spices. Season with sea salt if needed.

Use this recipe on a regular basis to boost your immune system during cold and flu season.

Don’t forget to breathe, smile and be happy.

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert

NaturalCounselor.com

Posted in Healthy Recipes, Prevent Cancer | 1 Response »
Tags: Alternative Medicine, Ayurveda, Cold and Flu Season, Cooking, Health Recipes, Holistic Wellness, Immune System, nutrition, Spices, women's health

Take a Break and Relax with Butterflies

Friday, November 14th, 2008

Are you tired? Feel stressed out? How about tension in back of neck or head?

Why not take a break and relax for a couple of minutes.

There are a lot of variations of basic meditation. One of them suggests sitting for a couple of minutes doing nothing but being aware of our breathing. Just sit still for a moment inhaling slowly through your nose, then exhaling long through your mouth.

You can also use imagery meditation sitting quietly and picturing some place, thing, or activity that makes you feel calm.

When you daydream, watch a bird in flight, stare up at the clouds, enjoy the ocean or a beautiful flower, your mind is fixed on one thought and that is a form of meditation, one of the powerful relaxation techniques.

Study shows that meditation changes blood flow to the brain and decreases anxiety while it improves other mental functions.

Take a look at these beautiful pictures taken by my son’s girlfriend while visiting North America‘s largest enclosed butterfly conservatory at Niagara Falls. Aren’t they amazing? Enjoy looking at the buttrflies as long as you feel like. It will help you to relax and boost your immune system which is very important during cold and flu season. And don’t forget to

breathe, smile and be happy!

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert

NaturalCounselor.com

Posted in Stress Relief | No Responses »
Tags: Alternative Medicine, Breathing, Cold and Flu Season, Depression and Anxiety, Holistic Wellness, Imagery meditation, Meditation, mind, Relaxation technique, Spirituality, stress, stress relief technique

6 Instant Mood Boosters

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Women are very busy these days, as a matter of fact, they have always been. And as women, we know that, unfortunately, most of the time we don’t prioritize our health.

Listen to Podcast for extra tips and laughs

Let us think, for a second, what causes stress in our life? Well, if I say emotions and bad food choices, will you believe me? I am not sure, but it is true. As we remember, cortisol, the hormone your body produces when you are stressed, increases your appetite and promotes inflammation, reducing the body’s sensitivity to metabolic hormones. To reduce cortisol levels and normalize your metabolism, you must relax.

No time to de-stress? Think again! You can lower your stress level in a second with these on-the-spot mood boosters.

Start laughing.

Studies show that even forced laughter lowers cortisol and blood pressure instantly.

Start singing

Recent studies show that singing your favorite tunes is more beneficial than simply listening to them.

Call your friend or talk to your pet.

Study shows that making conversation with someone you care about causes the same kind of positive physiological changes that a massage does. To express your feelings and thoughts you can either call a friend or talk to your pet (pets are even better listeners).

Take a walk

Some fresh air and moderate exercise can help clear your mind and frustration or anger.

Squeeze a squishy ball

Start squeezing something, such as a squishy ball, to work away your tension.

Have some Dark Chocolate

Studies show that Dark Chocolate (70-75% of cocoa and higher) not only low blood pressure and clear the arteries, but also improves mood by boosting serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain. Take a piece of dark chocolate, close your eyes and relax.

If we don’t take care of ourselves, nobody will, but if something happens to us, who will take care of our children, our family? Studies show that more than 800.000 people a day take time off work because of a stress related illnesses.

Let us be stress smart.

If you feel that it is the right time to have your “ME” TIME to take care of yourself with one of my Holistic Health and Nutrition Programs or my unique and affordable eCoaching Program for Women, contact me and let us talk….

Breathe, smile and be happy.

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert

NaturalCounselor.com

So are you going to laugh right now? Try, you will be surprised.

What about your favorite mood booster?

Posted in Podcast, Stress Relief | No Responses »
Tags: Alternative Medicine, Blood pressure, Dark Chocolate, Friendship, health, Holistic Wellness, Hormones, Laughter, Metabolism, mood, nutrition, Pets, stress, women's health