0 Pomegranate Power!

Looking for a healthy "movie snack"?

POMEGRANATE!

This fruit is perfect for slowly nibbling away on something sweet while you watch your favorite show, movie, or one of the recommendations that I will be suggesting soon!  It takes me a good hour to sit and take my time eating a whole pomegranate!  If you want to get this fruit fast read below.

Have you ever heard that you actually burn calories eating celery (as in more than you're eating)?  I AM CERTAIN that must be the case for pomegranate!

Top 5 Reasons this fruit is Powerful!

#1 Dr Roizen says: Heart health -- improving good cholesterol (HDL), and reducing BLOOD PRESSURE and triglycerides!

#2 Dr Dean Ornish says: Cancer PREVENTION -- particularly prostate cancer, by reducing damage to DNA.  Others also note inhibition of leukemia, breast, and colon cancer.

#3 UCLA says: SKIN health -- increases effectiveness of sunscreen in humans AND inhibits skin cancer in mice!

#4 Dr Mark Liponis says: Help you lose BELLY fat!

#5 Dr Joel Fuhrman says: it can help treat and prevent DIABETES, erectile dysfunction, INFECTIONS, and ANTIBIOTIC resistance through antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.  He also notes potential to decrease depression AND build BONE mass.

HOW TO? and POMEGRANATE TIPS

• It's messy!  
• Each red, corn-kernel-like piece is called an anril.  
• Cut the fruit open and pick anrils out one at a time; there are sections within the fruit.  Separate the red and white pieces and white paper-like sectional dividers.  
• Eat each anril entirely, including the small, crunchy seed in the center.  
• The whole fruit lasts up to two weeks at room temperature.  
• You can extend shelf life by refrigerating (as with avocados!); plus, it TASTES great cold!

Get it FAST: Costco sells a great frozen bag of mixed berries which includes pomegranate anrils!  Trader Joe's also sells them all prepared in a bag in the fresh fruit section!  Trader Joe's has so many awesome things!

COMING SOON: movie recommendations

COMMENTS: What have YOU been up to for the last few weeks?  My brother was in intensive care, after a bicycle accident (without a helmet), and is finally on the mend, thank heavens!  Please wear a helmet when you ride a bicycle!

Detail: Pomegranate Power!

0 Chocolate for your Heart?

Chocolate is beneficial to your HEART HEALTH in so many ways!

• Chocolate contains FLAVONOIDS, also in green tea, red wine, cranberries, apples, peanuts, onions, and many others
• Chocolate reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke by:
• LOWERING your blood pressure
• Improving blood flow to your heart and BRAIN
• LOWERING cholesterol
• Flavonoids are rich in ANTIOXIDANTS -- antioxidants munch up free radicals -- free radicals are destructive chemicals partly to blame for heart disease and other health problems.
• Chocolate's antioxidant activity helps heart health by decreasing cell damage in the tissues of the heart and arteries, and by preventing LDL oxidation (Oxidation of LDL (lousy) cholesterol often causes a heart attack to occur.)
• Chocolate makes platelets less sticky, thins blood, and reduces likelihood of clotting or clumping (the way ASPIRIN helps your heart!), preventing artery plaque formation

So you see chocolate can really help your heart health! Here are a few tips to be sure you get the benefits described above!:  CHOCOLATE EATING TIPS

For more on the HEALTH and MOOD benefits of chocolate click HERE!

Here are some healthy CHOCOLATE RECIPES!

Chocolatey Oatmeal, 5-minute Brownies, Chocolate Berry Smoothie (add 1/4 c unsweetened cocoa to 3-Ingredient Super Shake), Skinny Mints, or Chocolate Cherry Torte Laraballs!

Or you could try a chocolate PUDDING!

Also, visit www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com for some great treats! You can see some of my favorites HERE!

Happy snacking!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Do you watch Dr Oz?  What's the coolest thing you ever learned on his show?

Detail: Chocolate for your Heart?