BANANAS - MORE THAN JUST A TASTY TREAT

A professor at CCNY for a physiological psychology class discussed the effects of bananas on the brain. He said the expression 'going bananas' is not just a random saying.

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!! After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars: sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. Read More >>>

THE LEGUME THAT LOWERS CHOLESTEROL

There's a certain bean that may have powers to lower cholesterol. Where can you get it? Try a creamy side of hummus. Research shows that chickpeas, the luscious legume that's pureed for hummus dips, could go a long way toward improving your cholesterol profile.

Gaga for Garbanzos

In a small study, people who ate roughly 25 ounces of chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) per week for 12 weeks showed an improvement in their total cholesterol levels compared with when they ate a chickpea-free diet for 4 weeks. And that's not all: Their insulin levels also improved, and they lost a small amount of weight -- without dieting or exercising. All good reasons to fall in love with this legume! Start adding chickpeas to your diet, and take notice of the weight loss.

Pass the Chickpeas, Please

Researchers think the fiber, protein, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in chickpeas should probably get the credit for the cholesterol improvements. Chickpeas are also a great source of vitamins, minerals, and phytoestrogens. Have chickpeas for dinner tonight with this Fragrant Chickpea Stew recipe.

For other cholesterol busting strategies, try these foods:

Sesame seeds – especially the black ones

Think Soy… it helps to lower cholesterol – and stabilize hormonal
levels.

Nibble on dark chocolate – it contains cholesterol-fighting antioxidants.

-RealAge

GIVE STRESS THE SOFT TOUCH

If your worries are following you around like a long afternoon shadow, here's a fun way to give them the slip: Spend 30 minutes cuddling on the couch tonight. Research shows that physical affection can help lower stress levels.

Happy Half-Hour

In a small 4-week study, healthy married couples that regularly held hands, massaged each other, and cuddled for 30 minutes at least four times a week showed significant changes in physiological systems associated with stress. Their saliva showed more anti-stress hormones as well as lower levels of enzymes associated with stress, compared with that of noncuddlers. Don't have a significant other? Snuggle with your kitty or your pup. Time with pets is a great calm-inducer, too.

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GROUNDING

Grounding is a process that helps the body to connect to earth energies via its root chakra. Because we are first and foremost spiritual beings the physical body sometimes gets neglected. It is important to respect and care for the "container" that houses our spirit during our incarnate lifetime. Grounding is typically done through visualization or vibrational exercises.

Body Scan

This is a scanning technique that I have used myself for years as I lay in my bed at night. I have called it a grounding exercise as it brings awareness back into balance. Aside from this body scan helping to clear the mind from clutter it is also an excellent tool in identifying physical stresses and upsets. Pain can be so overwhelming in one part of the body that the rest of the body gets neglected. The body scan is an exercise in assembling the larger hurts alongside the most minute details of stresses that you may have overlooked within your body.

Read About Details on the Grounding Exercise

CREAMY GOAT CHEESE DEVILED EGGS WITH HERBS

6 hard-cooked eggs, halved, separated
2 oz. soft goat cheese, crumbled
6 tablespoons mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
salad dressing
2 teaspoons minced shallots
2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon, chives,
chervil, dill or basil
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon sea salt & dash pepper

1. Place egg yolks in medium bowl; mash with pastry blender or fork until crumbled. Add cheese; mash until combined. Stir in mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in all remaining ingredients except egg whites.

2. Spoon or pipe mixture into whites.

12 appetizers

PER APPETIZER: 100 calories, 9 g total fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 4 g protein, .5 g carbohydrate, 110 mg cholesterol, 110 mg sodium, 0 g fiber