Lately I have been trying to get back on track with a few things that I used to do to keep my body healthy. I have extra incentive now since I am not only thinking about myself.

I have been getting back into trying to eat healthier so I do not have to rely on vitamins and supplements.

Here's a few things I am doing again. Since I am spending the money to see a Homeopathic dr for some symptoms that have worsened since being pregnant, I want to make the most of feeling better naturally. I have always suffered from Acute Cystic Acne and severe Allergy and Sinus problems. Since becoming pregnant those ailments have come back FULL force. I cannot use any over the counter products for my acne that have salicylic acid type ingredients in them. I always tend to stay away from those harsh products and use Jason and Kiss My Face Products. Right now none of that stuff is working. Gotta tackle it from the inside out. It is a hormonal issue so being pregnant has made it worse and I am told it could be this way through out. I am still going to do all I can to make my body stronger and healthier to help correct these issues and make the pregnancy as smooth as possible.

Just wanted to share a few simple things I am doing to make my diet better...and yummier!

Share some little secrets and tips you have for eating healthier.


Flax Seed


Benefits of Flax seed

(HealthCastle.com) Its high content of alpha linolenic acids has made the ancient flax seed become our modern miracle food. Alpha linolenic acid is a type of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon. Benefits of flax seed as shown in many studies include lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) levels. Other benefits show that flax seed may also help lower blood triglyceride and blood pressure. It may also keep platelets from becoming sticky therefore reducing the risk of a heart attack.
flax seed health benefits
Other Benefits of Flax seed

Aside from alpha linolenic acid, flax seed is rich in lignan. Lignan is a type phytoestrogen (antioxidant) and also provides fiber. Researches reveal that lignan in flax seed shows a lot of promise in fighting disease -- including a possible role in cancer prevention especially breast cancer. It is thought that lignan metabolites can bind to estrogen receptors, hence inhibiting the onset of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer.

Recent studies also showed positive benefits of flax seed oil in IBD (Crohn's Disease and Colitis). Flax seed oil seems to be able to heal the inner lining of the inflamed intestines.

Moderately include flax seed in your diet. Indeed, a lot of food products contain flax seed such as bread, cereal and bakery goods. Bakers may use flax seed flour or include flax seed in baking.

Ways to include flax seed in home cooking

* Sprinkle ground flax seed on your cereal and salads.
* Substitute flax seed mixture for eggs in home baking such as muffin and pancake (1 tbsp milled flax seed, plus 3 tbsp water = 1 egg). Final products will have less volume and taste gummier
* Include in other recipe when nutty flavor is preferred
* Substitute flax seed oil for other oils

Wheat Germ

What is wheat Germ?

The general term ‘germ’ refers to the core embryo or the kernel of a seed. Wheat germ is nothing but the embryo or kernel of the wheat, which is a rich source of protein, fiber, unsaturated fat, vitamin E, vitamin B1 B2, B6 phosphorus, zinc, thiamine, magnesium and pantothenic acid.

What are the various health benefits of wheat germ?

Owing to the large number of essential nutrients in whet germ, there are plenty of health benefits of wheat germ. Here we will discuss all the health benefits that you can gain from wheat germ.

Wheat germ helps in reducing the blood cholesterol levels hence reducing the risks of further cardiovascular problems. Wheat germ helps to improve the storage of energy in muscles and also enhances the endurance and overall stamina of the body. Wheat germ contains octacosanol, which also helps to enhance the body reflexes and improves overall alertness. Wheat germ can be used as a nutritional supplement while on a weight loss plan as well.

Wheat germ helps to improve the overall oxygen utilization by the body. Whet germ also helps to balance the metabolism of the body and increases the ability to cope with stress. Wheat germ contains a very high amount of vitamin E complex, which include natural antioxidants and hence help to prevent heart disease, cancer and aging. Wheat germ also protects the muscles, blood, lungs, and eyes. Wheat germ prevents blood clots and contributes in strengthening the immune system of the body.

Wheat germ contains vitamin B complex, which helps in coping with stress and benefits the metabolism. Folic acid helps lowering the homocysteine levels and preventing damage to the arteries. Vitamin B also helps in digestion, healthy skin and repair of tissues. Wheat germ is a great source of natural fiber, which is very essential to maintain regular an efficient bowel functioning. Wheat germ also helps relieve constipation as well.

How can I store wheat germ?

Wheat germ contains unsaturated fats which is one of the reasons why wheat germ can turn rancid very quickly. Raw wheat germ is especially difficult to store. When stored in a sealed jar, wheat germ can last for about a year on the shelf. However when once opened the wheat germ has to be stored in the refrigerator. Even while refrigeration wheat germ should preferably stored in a tightly sealed container. Using refrigeration wheat germ can last for as much as nine months.

What are the ways to consume wheat germ?

Wheat germ can be consumed in a number of ways. Wheat germ can be added to a variety of recipes and makes for a very nutritional ingredient in many mouth-watering recipes, but very often makes a noticeable difference in the taste of the food. Wheat germ is used in the preparation of various breads, pancakes, waffles, cookies, cereals, and also milk shakes and smoothies. Since it is much lower in fat as compared to granola it is also used with yogurt and cereals.



[Edited 3/3/09 5:22am]

Interesting info.

Lots of fresh fish.

iceblue07 said:

One of the main reasons I have added Flax seed again to my diet. I do not like fish, unless it is heavily battered and disguised with tartar sauce and cocktail sauce.

Avoid phytoestrogens in large amounts!!

PREDOMINANT said:

Just a little sprinkle on the cereal & yogurt.
I am loving carrots & apples right now though but not so big on the legumes at the moment.

I have a personal hatred for phytoestrogens . They are sneaky buggers, we don't understand them yet.

PREDOMINANT said:

I see. I was having issues with milk, as usual, I have never tolerated regular cows milk. I switched to soy, just for my cereal.
My other issue is not liking fish so I need the Omega's.

I should be ok with my fresh fruits and veggies though, shouldn't I?

Personally I wouldnt cosume soy products while pregnant but Im overly cautious.

http://www.soyonlineservi...ymyths.htm


ps "A real worry is that birth defects like hypospadias and cryptorchidism are external and visible in boys. Congenital abnormalities of the male genital tract are also increasing, and once again soy phytoestrogens may be implicated, according to a study that found a higher incidence of birth defects in male offspring of vegetarian, soy-consuming mothers."


http://www.soyonlineservi...efects.htm

.
[Edited 3/3/09 4:58am]

LleeLlee said:

I was that way too until I was craving milk but cows milk made my allergies go crazy and I was very bloated.
So I checked with the homeopath. I am only consuming about 5 ounces on the days I eat cereal.
I do not like the taste of goats milk.
I need my calcium but too much cheese is not good for you either.
I guess it is all about balance.

Not sure why I am so bothered and worried about every thing that I eat. My neighbour never ate fresh fruits or veggies while pregnant, just potatoes, crisps and chocolate. She had a healthy beautiful baby.

Go figure.

LleeLlee said:

Hmm interesting. I will email a holistic specialist of mine back home in the states about this. She has had three children while being a vegetarian, drinking loads of soy and eating tofu (yuck). She had two girls and one boy. I thought they were all born healthy. I am going to see what she says about the soy thing.

shanti0608 said:

Try not to get too stressed about it as that is not good for you either. Just a healthy diet will be fine.


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[Edited 3/3/09 5:08am]

LleeLlee said:

I have nothing much to advise but wish you all the best with getting those issues under control

Do you take folic acid? Here doctors prescribe it to make sure the new born will be protected against schisis (sp?)

AndGodCreatedMe said:

Thank you beautiful lady

I started Folic acid a few months before we started trying to conceive and still taking it.

shanti0608 said:

Good to hear!

Increase the percentage of raw fruits and veggies. I mean significantly (at least 50-70 percent of your diet).

Cut out all milk. Don't even bother drinking it. A major fallacy in thought is that it's good for you for vitamin D and calcium.

Dark green, leafy veggies give you as much calcium with no cholesterol or and little or no fat: http://www.youngwomenshea...leafy.html

Vitamin D can be derived from other sources, but the best one is sunlight. A 15 minute walk in the sun is better than any supplement you could take.

Here's a few myths behind milk: http://www.rense.com/gene.../truth.htm

BSOD said:

BSOD said:

If your diet tips are anything to go by then she should also be drinking gallons of jizz and letting me bum love her twice nightly. Not that i have a problem with that

BSOD said:

Thanks! I will check those links out.

Just finished a lush Spinach salad


I have never been a milk drinker, especially not cows milk. I am loving my fruits and veggies right now

I am having trouble with the Vitamin D part, I wish I was still in Florida. I do make sure that I go out and soak it up whenever the sun is out.
The homeopath told me to keep the sunglasses off since it is still cold out and I cannot expose a lot of skin to soak up the Vit D.
We are going to Italy in May, I will be soaking up the sun, trying to make up for the lack of it here.

shanti0608 said:

but you cant eat much because you have to watch out for mercury

shanti0608 said:

You will be fine, everything in moderation has awalys been my advice.

Cuddles said:

I would eat more than I do now if I lived near my Uncle that catches them fresh daily. I do not like fish that much so at least I do not have to worry about that.

raw organic coconut oil is a good source of all those good fats and acids

green tea bags on your face after you have used them is a good thing to curb the acne

so is noni juice applied topically at night then flushed off with water after an hour or so is also good for the acne.

Cuddles said:

I am drinking white tea these days since it has less caffeine. Cut out all other caffeines. I was going to put the white tea bag on my face but keep forgetting and putting it in the compost bin. I used to reuse my green tea bags on my face, helped with my puffy eyes when my sinuses act up.

Oh Noni jiuce, my mom used to sell that. I have not seen it over here, I will have to do some research.
I used to drink a shot glass every morning, helped my sinuses.

I did try on my skin once or twice. Luckily then my acne was pretty much under control.



Thanks!

PREDOMINANT said:

shanti0608 said:

Except booze, always loads of booze. The data on pregnancy and alcohol is very scetchy at best. I say get pissed, but don't eat too much soy!

PREDOMINANT said:

I thought I would stay away from the booze until we are at your house. Ya know...a good old binge drink!

I had a glass of red wine when Marion was here and have not wanted a drop since.
Funny how our bodies some times khow best.
Same with coffee and meat, cannot even think about it right now.

shanti0608 said:

It is quite facinating and remarkable that people ignore the signs so much. Paola started tucking into pickles last night and ate half a jar!!

PREDOMINANT said:

I know... it is amazing. If I did not know I was pregnant, I would seriously wonder about myself and my strange eating habits.

Pickles....yum..... I miss the sweet baby Gherkins I used to get back home.