Category Archives: Longevity

Toasted Quinoa Salad with Shrimp and Edamame

Toasted Quinoa Salad with Shrimp and EdamameAs a follow-up to the Southwestern Quinoa and Black Beans, here’s a nutrient-dense, protein-packed salad to try. It’s fresh in taste, texture and color with a hint of Asian flavor.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb. raw shrimp, frozen or fresh (41-50 shrimp/pound)
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa, rinsed well
  • 5 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp. ginger, grated
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen edamame, shelled
  • 1 c. scallions, sliced thinly and diagonally (about 1 bunch)
  • 1/2 large red bell pepper, diced small
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • 4 1/2 tsp. tamari (or soy sauce), reduced-sodium and gluten-free
  • 1 tsp. Aji-Mirin (sweet cooking rice seasoning) – can be found in the Asian foods of the supermarket with the rice wine vinegars
  • 4 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons canola oil, divided
  • 1/3 cup rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
  • 3 cups water
  • Salt to taste (optional)

PREPARATION:
1. Place in a mesh strainer and rinse well with water:

  • 1 1/2 c. quinoa, uncooked

2. Toss in medium bowl. Set aside and let marinate.

  • Shrimp, raw (remove shells if necessary)
  • 2 1/2 tsp. tamari
  • 1 tsp. ginger, minced
  • 1 tsp. Aji-Mirin
  • 1 clove garlic, minced    Continue reading

The Evolution of Defrosted Dining

The frozen food industry has evolved as a greater number of consumers want and need more nutritionally sound foods. Frozen meals are handy and can rescue many busy parents with ravenous kids or seniors who are alone and can’t get to the grocery store often. You can stock up on healthy meals and get a nutritious entree from the freezer to the table in the time it takes to prepare a side dish. By supplementing with a fresh salad or soup, you can serve a well-rounded meal in minutes — a big change from the original classic TV dinner.

Caesar's PastaGluten-Free: Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, malts, and triticale. A gluten-free diet excludes foods containing gluten and may exclude oats as well. People on gluten-free diets want the same convenience of frozen food. There are now a variety of gluten-free frozen pizzas and meals available, such as Italian pastas, bowls, and Thai, Mexican and Indian dishes. Be sure to check the label to ensure that the food is prepared in a gluten-free facility.   Continue reading

Quinoa and Black Beans

Quinoa seedsQuinoa (pronounced “KEEN-wah”) has gained recognition and popularity as a gluten-free grain alternative and valuable vegetarian source of protein. As a breakfast, side dish, salad, or dessert, quinoa is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various cuisines.

Quinoa is rich in B vitamins like other grains, but it’s actually an edible seed and a relative to spinach, beets and Swiss chard. Quinoa is unique in that it contains all nine essential amino acids making it a complete (whole) protein. This protein-dense food originated in the Andes Mountains of South America and was a sacred staple in the diet of the ancient Incan culture.

If you’ve never tried quinoa before, here’s a great recipe to try for your first experience!   This dish travels well and can be eaten hot or cold. Enjoy it as a side or wrap it in a warm tortilla with avocado and shredded raw cabbage or lettuce for a satisfying meal. Continue reading

Managing Man-opause

As men age, they gradually lose androgen, or testosterone, the hormone that makes men ‘men’. Hormone changes are a natural part of aging, but men and women experience these changes differently.

For women, when ovulation ends, their hormone production plummets over a relatively short period of time. Unlike this dramatic reproductive hormone plunge that women experience during menopause, sex hormone changes in men occur gradually over many years.    Continue reading

The Healthy Plate | The Health Reporter Minute

The USDA has retired its longstanding Food Guide Pyramid and unveiled its new food group symbol. Find out how to apply the model to your lifetime eating plan. Karen Owoc, The Health Reporter, hosts a compact segment of health news in The Health Reporter Minute. Writer/Producer: Karen Owoc. [Segment #0016H

Dirty Little Secrets

Healthy living begins at home. Think of your house like a second skin. Whatever you rub, pour, sprinkle, or spray on in order to clean it can end up in your body. Here are some tips to keep your home (and you) healthy.

Take off your shoes and keep germs from walking into your house. The Japanese were way ahead of Westerners with this custom. Along with dirt and grime, your shoes can track in fecal bacteria originating in restrooms or from the outdoors (think pet poop) and can harbor various other types of bacteria that can cause serious infections.

In Japan, it’s also customary to wear special “toilet slippers” that are only worn in the bathroom.

Treat your clothes like your skin. If you wouldn’t wash your body with it, then don’t clean your clothes in it. Avoid toxic chemicals and animal fats. Always wash new clothes before wearing them. New fabric finishes contain formaldehyde, fragranced starches and insecticides. Soak them in one cup or more of baking soda before washing them to neutralize these potentially allergenic chemicals.   Continue reading

Aid for Age-Related Blindness | The Health Reporter Minute

There’s new hope for people with impaired vision from age-related macular degeneration. Karen Owoc, The Health Reporter, hosts a compact segment of health news in The Health Reporter Minute. Writer/Producer: Karen Owoc. [Segment #0009H

Orange Fountain-of-Youth Foods

The spectrum of colors that line the produce aisle — from robust red to vibrant orange to every shade of green — contain fruits and vegetables rich in nutritious organic pigments. To get a broad range of nutrients in your diet, eat foods in all colors and varieties. On your next excursion to the supermarket though, be sure to specifically include some orange produce as these sunny foods are essential for firm, youthful and healthy skin. Here’s what’s good in them:   Continue reading

Fitness@Work | The Men’s Health Minute

Men often say they don’t have time to exercise, but here’s a new trend that combats the sedentary work. Karen Owoc, The Health Reporter, hosts this compact segment of men’s health and fitness news in The Men’s Health Minute. Writer/Producer: Karen Owoc. [Segment #0012M

Fit Feasting This Fall

Fall and its emerging warm glow signal it’s time to evolve. As the deciduous trees let go of the old to prepare for the new, perhaps it’s a great time for you to shed your old ways of eating and try some new foods, techniques and recipes! If you haven’t already given some of these fall all-stars a try, consider adding a few of the following to your plate this season.

Butternut Squash: This versatile deep orange vegetable can be substituted for any recipe calling for pumpkin. Butternut squash can be roasted, grilled and puréed or mashed for soups, casseroles and breads. They are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, a good source of vitamin E, fiber, potassium, and magnesium and contain no cholesterol or fat. Compared to pumpkin, butternut squash has twice the amount of A and C.   Continue reading

The Dark Side of Sunscreen | The Health Reporter Minute

[TV segment #0013H

The long-term benefits of wearing sunscreen are backed by solid scientific research, but there’s also evidence that a common compound in sunscreen may cause skin damage.

Dental Health and Longevity | The Health Reporter Minute

[TV segment #0008H

Attention to your oral health is important for your overall health. How you care for your mouth, teeth and gums can affect the rest of your body.

The Health Reporter on KTLR 880-AM/94.1-FM Radio

Ella Speakes, The Positive Talk Diva, of the Ella Speakes radio talk show in Oklahoma will interview yours truly on Monday, April 18. Topics include how to balance essential fats in your diet (“The Skinny on Omega Fats”) and whether it’s healthier to eat vegetables raw or cooked (“The Raw Truth on Vegetables”).

Soy Foods and Breast Cancer Survivors

New studies show soy is now good for breast cancer survivors

For years, there’s been confusing debate over whether breast cancer survivors should eat soy. However, a new study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) found that women who ate the most soy food didn’t increase their risk of breast cancer recurrence, but reduced their risk.

Since soy foods contain large amounts of isoflavones, survivors had been advised against consuming them. Isoflavones are phytochemicals (chemicals found in plants) that have both estrogen-like and anti-estrogenic effects.   Continue reading

New Risk Factors for Memory Loss

High cholesterol can lead to dementia.

A new study revealed that high cholesterol and high blood pressure are not only risk factors for heart disease, but for early memory loss as well.  Cardiovascular risk and cognitive function were tested in nearly 5,000 men and women over age 55.

The researchers studied participants for 10 years and found those with a ten percent higher risk of cardiovascular problems also scored poorly on cognitive tests.  The tests measured reasoning, memory, fluency, and vocabulary and the results were then compared to their Framingham risk score.   Continue reading

When the Going Gets Tough

Constipation relief is more about fitness than fiber

Constipation is not a subject that many of us like to talk about. But let’s face it, everyone gets constipated at one time or another and it can be pretty painful, uncomfortable, and frustrating. Here are some ways to help keep you moving!

1. Get some exercise. Your intestines are muscles too. When you work out, you’re doing more than just toning your muscles and strengthening your heart. Bowel movements occur when the muscles of your intestinal tract contract. When exercising aerobically, your heart and breathing rates increase which help your intestinal muscles contract. Well-toned intestinal muscles contract well and are able to move food through the tract efficiently and naturally.   Continue reading

Radiation Exposure “Antidote”

Radiation Exposure

Potassium iodide - an antidote for radiation exposure?

Nuclear plant explosions in Japan released massive columns of smoke into the air.  According to officials, 230,000 units of iodine have been distributed to evacuation centers near the nuclear power plants as a precaution. So, why is Japan distributing iodine tablets?

Thyroid Effects

After the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, thousands of cases of thyroid cancer were reported in children and adolescents exposed to radiation. Following a radiological or nuclear event, escaping radioactive particulates consisting of radioactive iodine-131 can enter your body via contaminated air, food, or water (referred to as “internal contamination”).   Continue reading

Eating for Healthy Eyes

[TV segment #0007 
Producer: Karen Owoc   Director of Photography: Michael Davich


March is “Save Your Vision Month”.  The eyes age just like the skin and are at risk for chronic diseases. Approximately 43 million Americans suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or cataracts, the leading causes of vision loss and blindness.  Here’s a quick overview of the key nutrients that help preserve your vision.  See also Are Carrots Good for Cataracts?.

Eating for Healthy Skin – Part 2

[TV segment #0006 
Producer: Karen Owoc   Director of Photography: Michael Davich 


Expanded transcript from video…Wouldn’t it be nice if you could wake up every morning with smooth, radiant skin?  Well, before you rush off to your local beauty store, think about picking up some skin-friendly nutrients at your local grocery store.

In our last segment, we took a look at the foods that provide the key vitamins you need for healthy skin.  Today, we’re going to focus on the minerals and essential fats that’ll help your skin function and look its best.   Continue reading

Heart Attack Warnings for Women

February is American Heart Awareness Month

Heart disease is the number one killer among women in America over the age of twenty….that’s one death every minute.  And according to a new oxford study, a woman who has a mother who had a stroke has a higher risk of having a heart attack as well as a stroke.

Men have traditional risk factors – such as high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes – but women seem to have a sex-specific family history tied to their risk of having a heart attack.  Using reliable tools to predict heart attack risk is critical because women are more likely to die from a heart attack than men.

If you’re a woman, you should know…  Continue reading

Overeating Triggers

[TV segment #0004
Producer: Karen Owoc   Director of Photography: Michael Davich

Scientists have found that certain foods affect the brain and the way it responds to the hormones which regulate the appetite, but there are ways to outsmart the physiological triggers to overeat.  

Expanded transcript from video… We all have a tendency to overeat once in awhile or perhaps it’s more than just once in a while – especially around the holidays.  But the good news is, scientists have discovered one of the reasons why – and it all has to do with the types of foods we eat.

New research shows that saturated fats crank up your appetite.  They found that not only do they affect our waistlines, but our brains as well.   Continue reading

New Guidelines for CPR

On October 18 the American Heart Association released new guidelines for CPR. The changes make it easier for people to perform CPR and save lives.  The AHA now recommends the CAB method, that is, Compressions first, then Airway, followed by Breathing.  The previous method recommended doing the compressions last - ABC (Airway, Breathing and Compressions).  For more information, go to:  www.heart.org.

Height and Heart Disease

A study by the European Society of Cardiology reported short people had a fifty percent higher risk of having heart disease.  Heart problems included angina (chest pain), heart attack, and angioplasty (the technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel).   Continue reading

How to Prevent Aging: Part 2 (Skin Changes)

To continue with how the body system changes, the following is an overview on what happens to your skin as you age.

“Normal Aging”

Skin

Skin loses its 'snug' fit and wrinkles with age

Skin loses its 'snug fit' and wrinkles with age

The skin is the largest organ of the body and one of the most revealing places where aging occurs.  Over time, your skin may lose its original ‘snug fit’ and begin to wrinkle and sag due to the following age-related changes:

  • Collagen cells break down.  Collagen is the main protein of connective tissue that provides strength to the skin – as well as to blood vessels, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and bone.
  • Muscles beneath the skin atrophy (diminish and shrink).
  • Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss.
  • Subcutaneous cushion of fat diminishes.  As a result:

Continue reading

How to Prevent Aging: Part 1 (Body Changes)

“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” ~ Leroy “Satchel” Paige

Today’s post is the first of a series on “How to Prevent Aging”.  By having an understanding of the physiological changes, the causes, and effects on the rate of aging, you can adjust the way you live, work, and play and prevent or delay the onset of diseases that are disproportionately associated with aging.

*    *    *

Chronic diseases and disability were once synonymous with old age, but after over fifty years of research by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), you can prevent or at least control certain diseases, often through the way you live.

Individuals age overall at immensely different rates, and age-related changes in cells, organs, and tissues differ greatly as well.  Organs in one individual may age faster than those in another.  For example, your bone strength may diminish more rapidly as compared to your spouse whose heart function may decline faster.  This suggests that the rate of aging is affected by:

  • Genes
  • Lifestyle
  • Disease

“Normal aging” varies considerably and its rate can be affected by behavioral factors in your control, such as healthy eating and physical activity.  Age in years does not necessarily correlate with physiological age.   Continue reading

How to Prevent Aging and Cancer (Synthetic Fragrances)

Q:  I am really sensitive to perfume and fragranced body products (especially soaps and lotions).  I get a rash and I cough when I spray on perfume or am near someone wearing heavy cologne.  What’s in them that is so irritating? ~ K.A., Huntington Beach, CA

Artificial fragrances are common allergens and irritants

Artificial fragrances are common allergens and irritants

A: Artificial fragrances are synthetically-derived substances used solely to impart an odor.  They are a common offender of adverse allergic reactions.

In a study by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, fragrances were the number one cause of allergic and irritant reactions to cosmetics.  (Preservatives were the second most common cause of cosmetic allergies.)

Does This Smell Good To You?

Fragrance manufacturers are exempt from disclosing ingredients

Fragrance manufacturers may use any raw material in fragrance formulas

Pre-market approval of fragrance materials is NOT required.  With the exception of color additives and nine prohibited ingredients, fragrance manufacturers may use any raw material in a fragrance formula and are exempt from disclosing the chemicals on their label.

Fragrance ingredients need only be listed on the label as “fragrance” thereby limiting the FDA’s surveillance and actual authority over the fragrance industry.

Fragrance Free or Unscented…..Are They Really?

Fragrance freeThere are no official government definitions for “fragrance free”, “unscented”, or “natural fragrance”. In short, manufacturers can formulate their own interpretation of such label claims.

Commercial “fragrance free” or “unscented” products are rare and may only mean they have no discernible scent. Companies may add a masking fragrance to a product to conceal the odor of its raw ingredients without adding a discernible odor to it.   Continue reading

How to Prevent Gray Hair

Q:  Why does hair turn gray?  Is there any way to slow down this part of the aging process? ~ K.P., Richfield, OH

A: Hair is initially white (no pigment) and gets its natural color from a type of pigment called melanin.  Melanin begins forming (melanogenesis) in utero and is produced by specialized pigment cells called melanocytes.

These cells are located at the opening of the skin’s surface where the hair grows.  When a hair is being formed, melanocytes inject pigment into epithelial cells within the hair follicle (a sac from which the hair grows).

Blonde, Brunette and Somewhere In-Between

Hair has only two types of pigments – dark (eumelanin) and light (phaeomelanin) – but they create a wide range of colors.  Your natural hair color is determined by the amount of and blending of melanin in the middle layer of the hair shaft (cortex).

Gray Hair

Pigment cells die and hair loses color

Pigment cells die and hair loses color

White hair has no pigment.  Gray hair has a reduced amount of pigment.  The mixture of pigmented hair and white hair produces the perception of “gray hair”.

Hair loses color and starts to gray when pigment cells die and levels of enzymes decrease.  The chances of your hair color turning gray increase 10-20% every decade after your 30th birthday.   Continue reading

How to Prevent Aging and Cancer (Sodium Benzoate)

Benzoates are widely used preservatives

Benzoates are widely used preservatives and linked to aging and cancer

Sodium benzoate (also known as E211) is a chemical preservative used to help inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungus in acidic products. It is linked to aging and cancer and is widely used in foods, beverages, cosmetic, dental care products, and pharmaceuticals that contain:

  • Vinegar (salad dressings, pickled foods)
  • Carbonic acid (carbonated drinks)
  • Citric acid (jams, fruit juices, cough syrups, baby wipes, liquid hand soaps)
  • Alcohol (alcohol-based mouthwash)
  • Other high acids (soy sauce, Chinese food sauces)

Sodium benzoate is used in some sodas

Sodium benzoate is used in some sodas

Manufactured from Crude Oil

This crystalline powder is the sodium salt of benzoic acid and is produced by reacting sodium hydroxide (lye) with benzoic acid.  Benzoic acid is commercially manufactured by reacting toluene with oxygen.  Toluene, also known as methylbenzene or phenylmethane, is related to benzene (a carcinogenic substance). Toluene is found in crude oil and used to make gasoline.

Due to the unpleasant aftertaste of sodium benzoate and not so much for toxicity, sodium benzoate concentration is limited by the FDA in the U.S. and should not exceed 0.1% by weight.  Potassium benzoate, the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is an alternative preservative to sodium benzoate.  When lower sodium content is required, potassium benzoate is used in place of sodium benzoate.   Continue reading

How to Stay Healthy If You’re a Man

Male signOne of the most important ways for men at any age to stay healthy and live longer is to get recommended screening tests.  These tests can detect diseases early (i.e. cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more) when they are easier to treat.

NOTE: If you have risk factors, a diagnosed condition, or a family history of certain diseases, talk to your physician.  The types of tests, when you start testing, and how often you test may differ from the standard recommendations below.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for the following diseases:

Scale1.  Obesity: Have your Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated to screen for obesity.  BMI is a tool that is used to measure body fat by the weight (in kilograms) to height (in meters) ration of an individual.  A BMI of 25 – 29.9 kg/m indicates overweight and a BMI greater than 30 kg/m indicates obesity.

You can use the BMI calculator from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to find your own BMI.

2.  High Cholesterol (age 45+): Starting at age 35, have your blood checked regularly for cholesterol levels (fasting blood test).  Talk to your provider about testing earlier if you are younger than 35 and if:

  • You have diabetes.
  • You have high blood pressure.
  • You have a family history of heart disease.
  • You smoke.

Sphygmomanometer BloodPressure3.  High Blood Pressure (age 18+): Starting at age 18, have your blood pressure checked at least every two years.  A blood pressure reading of 140/90 and above is high.

4.  Colorectal Cancer (age 50+): Starting at age 50, your physician can decide which test is right for you.   Continue reading

How to Stay Healthy If You’re a Woman

Female signOne of the most important ways for women at any age to stay healthy and live longer is to get recommended screening tests.  These tests can detect diseases early (i.e. cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and more) when they are easier to treat.

NOTE: If you have risk factors, a diagnosed condition, or a family history of certain diseases, talk to your physician.  The types of tests, when you start testing, and how often you test may differ from the standard recommendations below.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for the following diseases:

Weight_Scale1.  Obesity: Have your Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated to screen for obesity.  BMI is a tool that is used to measure body fat by the weight (in kilograms) to height (in meters) ration of an individual.  A BMI of 25 – 29.9 kg/m indicates overweight and a BMI greater than 30 kg/m indicates obesity.

You can use the BMI calculator from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to find your own BMI.

2.  Breast Cancer (age 40+): Starting at age 20, the American Cancer Society recommends getting a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) by your health care provider about every 3 years.  Breast self-exam (BSE) is also an option for women starting in their 20s.  At age 40, you should have a mammogram every year and a CBE prior to the mammogram.

3.  High Cholesterol (age 45+): Starting at age 45, have your blood checked regularly for cholesterol levels (fasting blood test).  Talk to your provider about testing earlier if you are younger than 45 and if:

  • You have diabetes.
  • You have high blood pressure.
  • You have a family history of heart disease.
  • You smoke.   Continue reading